[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.

[wtc911]

You are right though that the Soviet/Russian military is overrated.....

Not by our DoD. I've seen up close for myself the lack of cohesion and discipline in areas where the two of us have served side by side, like Kosovo. Russian soldiers getting high and welcoming a Benz full of hookers while on duty, then sharing their weapons with the next tour.

Russia's economy is akin to Brazil's and the demographics are tilting toward a population that lacks the young masses necessary for large scale militarism. I don't know that the full fury of Russian power could even decisively defeat Chechnya.