Putin's nostalgia for a past that never was

Putin — and many Russians I suppose — long for the days when Russia was considered a great power.  Some great power.   An all time crackpot economic system — an all time oversized police state (never forget J.S. Stalin at its worst) — and what little economic surplus they could eke out (compared to modern countries) wildly squandered on a military that looked ready for a Mars attack.

180 armored divisions — 1st category, 75% active, 25% reserve, ready in a week, 2nd category, 50%/50%, ready in a month, 3rd category, 25%/75%, ready in three months.  Components of 90 tank divisions (compared to central NATO's 30 armored, fully mobilized), active, ready to go any time (!) — could actually man 50,000 tanks in the field.  Almost 10,000 jet fighters, 300 plus submarines (mostly conventional).

All out of the pitiful economic base.

Visions of communist Russia's military behemoth (more like a gigantic Arab army in quality) must be what feeds the historic mirage of “the great power” in Vladimir's mind.  Forgetting the backwards, creaky foundation of that force, he remembers only its crazily over expanded muscle — in his autocratic ignorance.