[Viennacon]

Ah, but he did drive a wedge between the Soviets and the Chinese, which was useful. the Soviets might have lasted longer had relations with China not taken a turn for the worse

[Olog-hai]

All for naught, since technically the Soviets are back.

[rollo tomasi]

"...the Soviets might have lasted longer had relations with China not taken a turn for the worse"

China would have provided USSR enough grain, took care of OPEC which was putting a "crimp" on the Soviet Caspian industry (Which the Soviets still could not figure out how to extract sufficiently), subsidized the loses caused by Chernobyl, and solved the enigma of Pershing II weapons that had a 6 minute trip to Moscow/targeted Soviet military outposts? My, a weak China, without access to US markets, would of been generous neighbor.

I would take a self-imploding/limping Soviet Empire over subsidizing, trading, and resurrecting a "sleeping "giant" dragon" any day.