Did Socialism Make Them Dumb for Generations to Come?

Honest to God, if the Russians had the common sense God gave mossy rocks they'd make peace with Japan and Ukraine, cut a deal with Georgia, end their pointless confrontation with NATO, stop propping up Maduro of all people, and focus on preventing China from taking back Russia's 19th century conquests in the Far East.

Sure, the USSR made a deal with Hitler hoping that Germany and Western Europe would destroy each other, and found that when Hitler turned on the Russians that the West sided with Stalin anyway.

But does that mean that Putin can try to get cozy with Xi's China yet expect the West to side with Russia if China decides to retake its Far East territory? If the Russians had a few more ergs of brain power they'd at least start making up with NATO now.

Certainly, a NATO unwilling to devote much to defending Estonia wouldn't formally help Russia in a war in Asia, but both America and Russia could afford to devote more forces and attention to the Asia-Pacific region rather than facing each other in Europe, which only makes China smile.

Seriously, China is a threat to America but our exposure pales in comparison to Russia's risks.

But Putin may not be the ruler who can pivot east given how deeply he is committed to confrontation with America.

Still, if Russians really start noticing how badly Putin has effed things up by alienating potential allies in Europe and America, perhaps Putin won't be the one making the call.

I had hoped that after the collapse of the Soviet Union that Russians would have enough sense to join the West. They have not. But better late than never.

Can Russia learn?