I'll take a closer look at this later. but I think that a lot of anti Russia talk is old school state rivalry.
Over the last 35 years Russia has lost tons of land and political clout and influence in the region. All without any serious military actions.
while the U.S. and Europe via NATO have created entrenched military positions closer and closer to Russia's boarder. Not the other way around.
NATO has taken over most of what was previously U.S.S.R areas.
Russia's Iraqi buds are gone because of the US military
invasion and overthrow.
the Iranian and Syrian Buds are under threat by our planes and ships off the coast.
We've helped depose, Khadffi, another Russian friend.
We are drone bombing about 9 M.E. countries... for freedom, we create a new Africa Command in Africa... and We're trying to set up missile bases that ring the boarders of Russia.
Sorry, sure Putins a no-goodnik but he's got a long way to go before he catches the U.S. in using the military power to secure Russia's interest.
Heck when the U.S. military/cia attacks in central and south America , like Putin's doing, we call it "[I]the Monroe doctrine" and that makes overthrowing Noriega, assassinating Allende, and repeated attacks on Haiti etc etc A-OK.
Putin just needs better <acronym title="Page Ranking">PR</acronym>.
Many of the former Soviet block countries and break aways have gone to or applied to NATO for member ship.
Who is NATO's only named military enemy?.
US support/ed war against the Russians in Kossavo and the Ukraine and have aided the chechen terrorist.the U.S. and Nato have been putting up a "missile shield" , that rides the boarders of Russia.
Many of the "stans" now have U.S. airbases and U.S. military presence in them, so who exactly is expansionist here?
list coming up...