Yglesias explains:
On the whole, Russia’s clout is still puny compared to what it was back in the day and demographically it continues to be in decline while a large number of countries once subservient to Moscow are growing more prosperous than ever in the western orbit.
Off-message, Matt. This is Brezhnev, remember?
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2008/08/the-decline-of-russia/213083/
