[Zhang Fei]

[Many of which are or have been snuggled up to by Uncle Sam at one time or another.]

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That’s the way it is in the real world. It’s a world of tactical alliances. Stalin allied with Hitler. When Hitler attack Stalin, we allied with Stalin anyway. Was it a mistake? It was *necessary* because the alternatives were worse. That’s the way life often is - choices range from bad to worse. That’s why we were *allies*, not friends. Rome had plenty of allies it later warred on and conquered.

[dfwgator]

Stalin allied with Hitler.

Well I think more it was a case that Stalin and Hitler felt they would have the advantage over the other with the Pact, and both were gambling their side would be the beneficiary.

Stalin was hoping a war in the West would bleed the German, French and British armies dry, so the Red Army could easily swoop in and grab Europe.

Hitler was hoping the British and French would back down on their support of Poland, which would then free up Hitler for his inevitable war on Russia.

Stalin wasn't counting on France falling in such a way that the German Army for the most part would remain intact, and able to invade Russia. And Britain and France still declared War on Germany. So things didn't quite go the way either wanted.