Nah, the reason we're so much alike is we both developed the modern technology -- the bomb -- space travel etc. (Ok, both sides got some German help...)
Russians didn't "buy" a bomb from a superior culture and wonder how to make it work - they're not AlQaeda -- AlQaeda's known for more money than brains - much more money than brains.
The fact that the Russians never figured out rule of law and free markets is strange, but, well, that gives us an advantage -- a big one. Who knows, maybe someday we'll work together to control the nutjobs in the ME... In the mean time, of all the forces that might stand toe to toe with us, who would you perfer?
RE:" The fact that the Russians never figured out rule of law and free markets is strange"
The mother of all kleptocracies! ;)