George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 216

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As the Soviet regime crumbled, Russia’s status, which had fallen with it, was gradually recovering. Although Russia’s light industry had declined significantly, it was considered a temporary setback. The technological gap could be closed by investing in development or through cooperation with other nations. Even if challenging, acquiring technology through industrial espionage was an option.

Although Russia was currently heavily reliant on natural resources from its vast land, these resources provided sufficient material for a significant leap towards Russia’s revival. Specifically, it seemed they could achieve considerable progress within about a year. Therefore, the primary task for the Russian government was to establish the groundwork for that leap.

Thus, being just one step away from revival, it was only a matter of time before Russia would once again confront the world, and the United States, in a division of power reminiscent of the Cold War era.

Until yesterday, they firmly believed this to be the case.

“Is there anyone who can explain to me in great detail what that is?”

A harsh Siberian north wind seemed to blow directly into the Russian conference room. Like the real north wind, it froze people, but this wind was so sharp it felt like it could sever necks.

“I really wish someone could explain it to me in detail.”

Everyone remained silent, as if sworn to secrecy. Initially, he was merely a president replacing Boris Yeltsin, but he now openly wielded tremendous charisma and absolute power, to the point of being called a Tsar. In other words, to sum it up succinctly:

Who would dare to step forward in front of the enraged young Tsar?

‘Damn it. I don’t know why this keeps happening.’

However, unfortunately, someone had to step forward: Dmitry Medvedev. Now the Prime Minister, he was Russia’s de facto number two. He possessed a moderate desire for power but also disliked risking his life and being ignored. That’s why he hated situations like this the most – taking the lead when the consequences of speaking were obvious.

“It’s the shale gas we reported earlier.”

And in Russia, the number two position was traditionally uncomfortable. It was always dangerous and fraught with risk, a position where one had to shoulder all the blame on behalf of the number one.

“Who do you think I am to ask that? Didn’t you say it would take at least three more years to have proper drilling facilities? But how is it that they are now equipped with full-scale drilling facilities and extracting oil and gas?”

In contrast to his face, which was flushed with excitement, his words were logical and calm. However, his hands trembled with barely suppressed anger, like a lid rattling on a boiling pot, with steam escaping.

Medvedev, watching him, was sweating coldly. If he misspoke today, he might worry, ‘Wouldn’t a Cherenkov radiation tea [referencing a method of poisoning] be delivered tomorrow?’ Of course, one mistake wouldn’t lead to his demise, but if someone were to be held responsible in the future, it would likely be the person who spoke up today.

“Isn’t it to prevent these things that you were put in those positions?”

Russia wasn’t ignorant and couldn’t have been unaware of shale gas. Wasn’t it the ‘promised land’ that the Bush administration touted at every opportunity? Unlike other countries, the idea was that the United States could be self-sufficient within its borders without intervening on other continents. Initially, some speculated it was simply an isolationist policy, but the discovery of vast shale gas reserves in the United States lent that statement considerable weight.

Russia was fully aware of this and was preparing for a potential collapse in oil and gas prices. To put it bluntly, their strategy was, ‘Let’s invest in future food security before we go bankrupt.’ The problem, however, was that the timing was completely off.

“Now, explain. Why is it off by three years, not one or two? And explain it in a way that I can understand.”

Lack of information was no excuse; the inference was the answer provided by Russian engineers. More precisely, it was the answer given by Gazprom [a major Russian energy company]. And Gazprom was one of the world’s leading oil companies. This was an undeniable fact. Therefore, the credibility of the answer provided by the company after research and deliberation was substantial.

In fact, there was no other reliable way to find out. Industrial espionage became strangely difficult to execute, and infiltrating the US administration was almost openly blocked. This was due to the significant increase in the CIA’s budget. They could get close, but they were forced to remain on the periphery.

Even considering all this information, it was still expected to take another three years for development. This is because simple technology development and commercialization are distinctly separate processes. The reason Gazprom researchers inferred that it would take another three years was simple: the United States had initially decided against using hydraulic fracturing, the simplest method for shale gas drilling, due to environmental concerns.

From Russia’s perspective, this was a foolish misjudgment stemming from an overly relaxed attitude, fueled by the arrogance of being a global superpower. They thought it was acceptable to be slightly late, believing that Russia would recover in the meantime and be able to hold a sharp dagger to the United States’ neck.

The problem was that Russia, not the United States, made that misjudgment.

“Perhaps we misjudged the United States’ desire for oil.”

No country was as obsessed with oil as the United States. While image and reality often diverge, the perception of the United States’ oil obsession was entirely accurate and not an exaggeration. As the so-called paradise of consumption, the United States constantly required vast amounts of oil to sustain its economy. This would remain true until the last drop of oil was extracted and burned, and the resource called oil could only be seen in museums or historical recordings.

In any case, Dmitry Medvedev’s assessment was accurate. The American people’s insatiable demand for oil accelerated technology development, commercialization, and mass production at an unprecedented pace. This was further validated by the certainty of Bush’s re-election and the United States’ decision to limit further expansion into the Middle East.

Oil companies were losing ground to European competitors overseas and struggling to find profitable opportunities domestically due to the policies of one eccentric president, so they were becoming desperate. They made the most rational choice. Ideally, all transactions would be based solely on mutual benefit, but the world doesn’t operate that way. That’s why terms like political maneuvering and fraudulent contracts exist, right?

“Still, it’s fortunate.”

“Fortunate? What’s fortunate about it?”

From Putin’s eyes, a cold fire, only visible when he was truly enraged, began to ignite. Some people consider the word ‘aura’ a metaphor, but those who know this man realize it’s not a metaphor but a description of a tangible phenomenon. It was as if a blue light emanated from Putin’s eyes.

“No matter how much the United States releases oil into the market indiscriminately, it won’t suddenly plummet within a year or so. It’s true that they’ve entered the mass production stage, but as you know, it takes quite a while for any country or company to produce and deploy drilling facilities. Business only works when it’s profitable.”

Medvedev answered urgently, as if fearing dire consequences if he delayed. Fortunately for Medvedev, the blue light gradually faded from Putin’s eyes upon hearing those words.

“That’s true.”

Medvedev’s explanation was sufficient for Putin to grasp the situation. The market wouldn’t transform overnight. Of course, stock prices would likely fluctuate wildly, but Russia wouldn’t collapse immediately.

“Then we can accelerate what we have been preparing for in the meantime.”

Putin was relieved by Medvedev’s logical explanation, while the ministers and officials tasked with accelerating the ‘low oil price era preparation project’ felt their hearts sink. All departments were already working overtime to address this problem, and now they wouldn’t even be able to go home. How could they not lament?

“Your Excellency, it’s a call from Gazprom.”

“Allow it.”

Gazprom was aware that Medvedev was in an important meeting. Therefore, the phone call must be urgent and significant enough to interrupt the proceedings.

‘Otherwise, I’ll be in trouble too.’

Thinking this, Medvedev rose from his seat and briefly escaped the icy atmosphere of the meeting.

“Anyone have any other ideas?”

The plan itself was so intricate that each department was consumed by it, even in their dreams. The common goal was to advance into secondary and tertiary industries, leveraging low oil prices. It was essential to lay the foundation before the era of low oil prices arrived.

Large-scale industrial complexes were already being planned, sites secured, and factory construction was underway. While it was somewhat undesirable that they weren’t state-owned, securing shares like Gazprom and operating them as quasi-state-owned companies was sufficient. There would be resistance from companies, but they would likely comply unless they wished to be found dead the next day.

So, Putin was asking if there were any additional ideas that could facilitate these processes.

And, of course, there were none. Any viable ideas were either already being implemented or too unrealistic to propose in front of the president. Again, a misspoken word could easily escalate into a major impediment to one’s personal affairs or future political career.

Just as Putin’s mood was about to sour again due to the uncomfortable silence, the door opened, and Medvedev returned. To be precise, it wasn’t a return but a move to Putin’s side. Medvedev approached with urgent but disciplined steps and requested to whisper in Putin’s ear.

“Your Excellency.”

The words that followed were unbelievable.

“Saudi Arabia has released a large amount of oil it had stored into the market and colluded to drastically lower prices. It seems we need to implement the plans that are prepared right now.”

And the words that came out of Putin’s mouth were also unbelievable, even to Putin himself.

“Fuck(Блять) [Russian curse word].”

The curse that Putin uttered that day was recorded as Putin’s first curse as a human being, not for acting or political reasons, since he took office as president.