[hutzlibu]

It is a bit easier fighting caveman jihadist and third class dictators with outdated military, than a nuclear superpower.

[MisterTea]

> superpower.

Yup. Because when I think of superpower I think of an economy that is barely passing Italy's.

[pirate787]

They have 2 million men under arms and the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons.

[hutzlibu]

Power comes in many shapes. Russia does not have a good economy, but a strong military and nukes.

[ejb999]

and more importantly, the willingness to sacrifice millions of their own people if they need to. They have done it before, and if needed, I have no doubt they will do it again.