End Sanctions on Russia, Join Forces to Battle ISIS

(polishedprices.com) - Since 2014, the West has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia in an extended response to Pro-Russian military forces taking control of the Crimean Peninsula. While global powers wrestle among themselves, some may fall victim to the arm-wrestling. At times, sanctions affect both sides in the conflict. Thus, economic sectors from the country applying them also want to avoid the economic consequences of losing some or all of their business. The economic price tends to be high. Russia is a large producer of oil and gas, and the entire world is a consumer of these commodities, at times fiercely competing for access. So while Russia suffered from a decline in energy prices, it diverted much of its sales from the West to other regions in the world. Rising powers such as China and India are now signing supply contracts with Russian energy firms that will outlast any sanctions. They will get an important supply that comes at the expense of Europe and the US. Russia is also an important source of other important resources such as steel and primary aluminum. With manufacturing shifting from Western to Eastern countries, the power of the sanctions has been limited. We have more in common with Russia and its allies than ever before – economic ties, mutual trade, even deep cultural bonds. We should not be facing off with Russia but rather we should join forces together to strengthen our mutual battle against Muslim extremism.