[Rutles4Ever]

Wait until those al-qaida backed terrorists meet the 21st century version of Ivan the Terrible.

Problem is, they already met and defeated him in Afghanistan. I'm not so sure their military is any better than it was back then.

[RightWhale]

The situation is different today; the USSR is gone, Russia is back. The alliances have changed, too.

[LS]

That was my point on another thread yesterday. We overrate the modern Russians. As a military power, the Communists could force production and military service that a free nation cannot. That said, it's better to have them on our side, especially if we must deal with China.

God, this sounds even more like Jeff Head's latest novel!!

[Flying Circus]

One big difference: in Afganistan, the Soviets were facing US armed Islamists. This time the USA will be on the Russian side against the Islamists.

You are right though that the Soviet/Russian military is overrated, but with the right modivation and help they may still be better than you think. Ultimately, it is better to have them in the fight on our side than on the sidelines cheering for the other side.

[bobjam]

I would hardly compare the Red Kremlin politicos that screwed up Afghanistan to the likes of Ivan the Terrible, Michael Romanov, Peter the Great or even Josef Stalin. Unlike the Soviet-Afghan War, in this war, a Bush led American would be Moscow's side.