The thing that keeps bugging me is that the entire Russian GDP in 2020 was just a bit less than just the state of Texas. Like there is all this talk about Russia as if it matters. It has the economy of Texas. The world’s largest country and Texas. Like how intimidating can they be. California or New York could bankrupt them. We could even pair up random states like AZ/FL for the geriatric victory. Ultimately Russia is a penniless adolescent of an economy. I imagine the US military hardware is extremely over priced and under performs, but the money is here to out spend and out produce Russia a hundred fold.
Historically, nukes are kind of on par with money for the amount of power it gives to nations.
Russia loses a lot of relevancy in a lot of ways, especially recently, but nukes are still in the way of literally sending in troops to forcefully stop Putin.
In terms or purchasing power parity I’m sure the situation looks a little different, as you yourself say. Also nuclear weapons.
