Introduction

The Red Army and the whole Soviet military establishment entered a period of decline that, after the USSR's fall, grew acute. In the 90s, fighting in the Caucasus only underscored how weak and yet somehow still just as brutal, the Russian war machine had become. Then, with Putin's consolidation of power, the Russian military began what appeared to be a period of improvement. And now, as you've seen in the news in recent months, and perhaps especially last week, question is on the table. Were we overrating Putin's military strength all along? How did this organization that had everyone so intimidated now seem to be so ineffective? Where are we going? I recorded this interview with