Russians have been studying America for a long time.
In the Soviet period, Georgi Arbatov of the America Institute advised Soviet leaders.
Americans have never made a genuine attempt to understand Russia but Russians are well-acquainted with Americans.
Heard a comedy bit about your last point. When you visit a European country, they all have opinions about America. Oh America is this or America is that. But if the European asks, so what do you Americans think about Sweden ? Ah, um, nice bikini team. And, er, go Vikings.