I said mid-90s, after the USSR had already been dissolved (somewhat) orderly. Likewise, I wasn't talking about waging war or causing a famine in Russia (they can self-sustain anyway) - but what the US could have done is aggressively expand NATO back then, during the mid-90s, at a time when Russia was took weak to respond. Just bribe the corrupt kleptocrats in charge of Ukraine back then if you want that country so desperately and want to cut Russia off of its trade partners. Likewise, the US could have invested in Central Asia to break away key Russian allies back then (China wasn't nearly strong enough to compete geopolitically).
Also, in which world has Russia, with its 143m people and its outdated industry, any hopes of "outcompeting" China with its ten times larger population and (by now) much more modern industry? The reason Russia would be a helpful ally in the geopolitical competition against China is the vast natural resources and the vast space in Asia which they control, but surely not their competitiveness...
Because the US at that point understand what is " Gentleman's Agreement " There are still heavy weights in both sides of the aisle that are holding the Neo Con's ball tight asf.
Not to mention even when USSR was dissolved, the United States and politicians back then still gave face and respect, as
Many of the WW2 Veterans were still alive and kicking and knew that Russia dropped 20 million souls to help win the war.Unlike of course, like your generation who conveniently forget what happen.
As for now, an example, a lot of trolls on Reddit and 4 Chan are practically denying the atrocities that happen to the Chinese ( Specifically because of the current Geo Political Climate ) saying all the shit and photos they see in regards to what the Japanese did to the ching chongs are " AI / China Propaganda ".
Not knowing that us in South East Asia also went through the same fate with babies being thrown mid air and getting bayonet or being buried alive.
Well , let's see what World War 3 will do to all of us.
