Why doesn't Russia develop her oil, and mineral reserves to boost it's economy, instead of selling weapons?

This would tend to make the world much more peaceful, and also make Russia more of a stand out nation with humanitarian policies being her vanguard dealing with other nations.Why doesn't Russia develop her oil, and mineral reserves to boost it's economy, instead of selling weapons?
as octavian ceasar would say in HBO's Rome: ';politics';.








russia just sold anti-aircraft missles to iran. now, just 6 months ago my republcican father was telling me that yes, our army is strung thin and ground wars were never our thing, but our missles and air craft are the world's best and would make short work of Iran IF there was war.





russia's sale of anti-aircraft missles to iran makes more sense NOW doesn't it?





not everyone wants peace. all over Iran ppl chant ';death to america'; in church every week. only un-educated over-fed americans run around crying ';Peace'; all the time, all over the world people look for military strength of their own countries and death to others.





at best, putin wants to play both sides -- and wants USA to be at war with other countries for as long as possible so that russian can pick up the pieces and come out dominant.





at worst, Putin sees usa's push for democracy in other countries as a threat to his power and he wants to pre-empt this push by being america's enemy.





what would be the future of democracy if america falls? american democracy is an example to all of the power a nation can have and still be free for it's citizens -- if this falls -- many dictators will tighten their rule, including Putin, claiming that democracy is weak and no better than USSR-style communism.





of course, putin isn't thinking of america falling at the moment -- he is thinking of his own power in russia. maybe putin's successor (when putin dies of old age) will build on what Putin has done and start thinking about america falling.Why doesn't Russia develop her oil, and mineral reserves to boost it's economy, instead of selling weapons?
One could ask the same question of the United States. Vast oil reserves off our shores are being made untouchable by the US, but our competitors are drilling them.
they do both.





By the way - USA offered Russia in 90-es not to sell weapon


to bad (for USA) countries in exchange of fair share weapon trade with ';good'; countries.


(Gore - Chernomyrdin agreement)


And what?


USA did not keep it's promise.
And once oil prices fall, then what?





Weapons are a deterrent. You wouldn鈥檛 DARE fight someone that has a chance to protect themselves. Balance of power, easy as that. US is only fighting nations that don't stand a chance.
..because it is been run by an ex-KGB guy...Putin!





for that type of guy, weapons and force is the way to make Russia strong...