Is the big brown bear still a threat? Russian power and ambition.

I think Russia does still pose a threat, sir. For one, they're demonstrating that in Ukraine right now. And for two, Putin seems to not care what the world thinks, so he pretty much does what he pleases. I think Russia could threaten us, if not directly, at least they could threaten our interests at home and abroad.

After the fall of the Soviet Union and Communism/restoration of relations under Gorbachev, I think we have definitely returned to a powerful, if not underestimated regime.

In the 1990s, Soviets were LITERALLY auctioning military equipment off to the high bidder. The economy was miserable and there were many issues with the nation as a whole.

Fast forward, and the Russians have rebuilt their military, improved the technology, and are able to effectively focus and rally their people around a leader. That nationalistic pride itself is a powerful tool (one of the things that made the United States so effective in WW2), and can help restart a movement. The technology that they have is improving and their training and morale are also enhanced. Additionally, they are coming into the world scene "rested" as opposed to a general population that is war weary. As such, I don't think there will be the full scale resistance that you'd have seen at the turn of the millennium, which I think is part of what Putin is banking on.

I'm willing to bet that this is just the start of a trend from the Big Brown Bear.

The unfortunate piece of this new Cold War is that the United States has since given up the "high ground" since we have virtually shut down our space program and are reliant on the Soviets to put us up into space.
v/r,
CPT BUtler

A starving animal is more often the most dangerous.