@solar sun,
Yes, I've heard of the Grey Wolves. An ultra-nationalist Turkish organization, probably formed as part of the CIA's Operation Gladio, to suppress pro-Communist tendencies. Part of Turkey's "deep state" and now more interested in building a pan-Turkic empire. This would, of course, bring them into conflict with Russia, hence why certain interested parties like Brzezinski / the Prometheans and elements of the Anglo-Saxon intelligence services would want to if not to directly cooperate with them, at least make sure that they are free to roam.
But... aggravating as this might be, the scale of the challenge is small relative to other factors (ideological competitiveness, military might, etc). As long as the traditional pillars of Russian strength remain steady, their activities are of minimal strategic significance (furthermore, Turkey does not even have the hard power to capitalize on this).
@ Greg,
I agree with Brzezinski too. His ideas are indeed little more than simplistic descendants of Mackinder's pioneering work on geopolitics, which remains valid today - hence the US habit of making amphibious spoiling attacks to preempt the rise of a Eurasian hegemon. The US is not nasty or immoral for doing, it is simply following its (amoral) national interests, like most other states.
Re-demography. There are reasons for thinking the situation is not as bad as commonly presented, though it is certainly nothing to write home about. I would say it is still better off than the true demographic disaster zones (Germania, the Christian Mediterranean, Japan), i.e. it's demographic collapse occurred in the early 1990's, instead of in the early 1970's for the aforementioned, so there's relatively more room for recovery - but it will have to come quick to make a difference. In that sense, the rapid improvements in the TFR from 2006 are encouraging.
However, one thing I am certain on is that China is not going to make significant inroads into the Russian Far East except in economic penetration. Ordinary Chinese simply have no desire to swarm across the Amur, try to eke out a subsistence existence in hidden farms in the Siberian fastnesses and populate the region with Chinese. Not going to happen. Call me when China acquires an effective ABM system (to counter Russia's vast nuclear superiority) is approaching a Malthusian crisis (giving it an incentive). It's a distinct possibility in 30 years, but not anytime soon.
Central Asia is of course an easier nut to crack than the Russian Far East, relatively speaking, but their societies were heavily influenced by Russian culture, cultural / political ties remain strong, Russia has the biggest military presence there of any foreign Power, most of their energy export routes pass through Russia (will change if Iran turns pro-West) and their energy/industrial systems are interwoven with Russia's (Soviet legacy). Separated from it by a desert and a mountain range, and facing competition from Russia, Turkey, Iran?, and the US, China is going to have a hell of a task achieving preeminence there.
IMO, the real threat from a continuation of Russia's demographic decline, e.g. if the TFR falls back down to around 1.3 like it was in 1994-2006, is in its effect on Russia's economy. On the one hand, a brake on productivity growth, less innovation, etc; on the other, mounting pensions and medical costs (especially pertinent if the Russian government continues its recent trend of revamping the social security system, which seems likely).
