Russia Matter?

After the fall of the Berlin wall, Russia seemed inconsequential. The crumbling of that wall symbolized the crumbling of the U.S.S.R., or in most Westerners' view, Russia. Prior to the dissolution of the U.S.S.R., Russia loomed large in many people's minds. The threat of a nuclear war was an everyday fear and Russia, it was feared, would be the one to start it. Schoolchildren were made to hide under their desks to drill for the eventual onset of a nuclear war (as if that would offer any protection). Now, however, most Westerners do not ever even think of Russia, much less fear it. Russia has become irrelevant in Westerners' minds. Well, after reading, "Does Russia Matter?" By Paul E. Richardson, it seems that Westerners had better pay attention because the bear can raise its huge head on a number of different issues (Richardson, 2003). Of particular interest is...
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