Seth Glickenhaus on
Russia, China, and
President Bush

Q: What about the notion that deficits are a necessary part of stimulating the economy.

A: We have never had anyone incur such a huge deficit without producing any offsetting goods and services. This administration is unaware that the Third World War has begun ... It is a war that is fragmented in many different countries, fought by people working independently, and distinguished by poverty in every case, and often by fundamentalist religious fanatics fighting the establishment.

We allude to them generally as terrorists, but in some cases the governments themselves are the terrorists and the rebels are fighting for a good cause. This war exists not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but in Haiti, Colombia, Peru, the Congo and many of the African countries, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, the north and south of Ireland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia. This is ongoing.

Q: What are your thoughts on Russia?

A: The political picture in China is much better than in Russia. Russia has fewer people than the U.S. and it is surrounded by a lot of smaller subsidiary countries now. Life is numbers, and Russia won't be a big factor in the world of tomorrow. That is yesterday's history.

Q: But they have resources, and we still treat Russia as a superpower.

A: We treat countries such as France and Italy as if they were important. Russia is dwarfed by India and China.

Q: How are you capitalizing on China?

A: I've hit middle age. I'm 90 years old and my wife isn't interested in traveling to China or settling there. If I were a young man, I would certainly settle there. In this country, the only real opportunities are in two businesses: One is creating new religions, the other is peddling armaments. Why not go where the demand is going to grow and where there are opportunities and many needs that are unfilled? ... You have got to think internationally today.

--- Interview by
Sandra Ward
©2004 Barron's Magazine