The Soviet Union and the Russians before and after, have always had the will to defend themselves. On their own terrain and in the defensive, they were among the best in the world. However they were able to be contained because they valued the security and survival of their Rodina more than their communist ideals of bringing the whole world, or at least Europne, into the communist sphere. The Jihadies and Pan Arabists seem to have less compunction about risking it all, although they may just believe that they aren't really doing that. They may learn differently very shortly.