Replying this post in 2018 is interesting for me. Especially considering the fact that very little has changed. And this is irrespective of the fact that the US elected a president like Trump. And really, Trump has been shaking things up. Many allies have turned to enemies and vice versa. But a structure that has taken decades to set up will not be ripped apart so easily. The West still cuddle up to the USA believing in their exceptionalism. And Putin having been reelected has remained his old self. Offering every form of resistance possible.