[phekunde]

Had the West accepted the request* of Russia to join NATO, we wouldn't have seen the emergence of cold-war again! After the disintegration of USSR, the West went into triumphalism-mode rather than showing humility.

* This request was by Putin few years before the Afghan war. Russia at that time was sharing intelligence with the US on the dangers of the Taliban to the West. In the initial phases of the invasion Russia also provided some logistical support to the Western forces.

[rapjr9]

Not sure about the NATO request, but the West had a prime opportunity to make a new friend after the breakup of the Soviet Union and completely blew it. Russia was suffering, I remember seeing a flood of used Russian kids toys for sale on eBay. And the US was just rubbing it in, exclaiming in glee at the collapse and offering little aid or support. A wasted opportunity that has led to the current situation.