BRIC Resources
A continuation of "A Morbid Fable". Quick estimate of certain worldwide resources controlled by the BRIC coalition and assuming a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Look at the oligopoly pricing power as a percentage of world total.
They control 1/2 of the world's food supply, most of the microchip supply and enough energy to control pricing in conjunction with another partner (Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, etc).
Russia and China began amassing gold reserves over ten years ago, which is when I realized they were planning for the demise of the US$ I wasn't sure how it would play out but now the strategy emerges. Create a parallel financial system around BRIC oligopoly power. Instead of the United States suppressing prices through dollar creation, the BRIC can set commodity prices without regard to the US$.