[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

Why Russia was not made the first nation to join NATO after the USSR died really bothers me.

They were offered this. Russia declined and instead asked to be put in charge of NATO.

[Renfrew]

There was a path there. America’s other defeated rivals (UK, Germany, Japan) made the deal to give up their global ambitions in exchange for the support and protection of the USA.

In the 1990s there was a path to a similar relationship with Russia, but various screw ups on both sides sent Russia into an alliance with China instead.

[DesertRhino]

Baloney. Show a source for that insane comment that Russia was EVER offered NATO membership and declined. For extra credit, show where they rejected it because they wanted be in charge.
LOL