Superpower status.

During the Cold War (1945-90), the Soviet Union was acknowledged by just about everyone to be a superpower. It did not earn that status because of its economic, humanitarian, cultural, or technological contributions to the world. It was considered a superpower solely because it could inflict universal destruction on any enemy at the push of a button. On the ground, its military strength was based on an outdated tactic -- throwing vast masses of foot soldiers against enemy positions, regardless of losses, until they overwhelmed their target. But, the Americans demonstrated, during the Persian Gulf War of 1991, a new kind of warfare. Technology defeated huge numbers of infantry with virtually no loss of life to the side with the technology. Watching the tapes of Desert Storm, Russia's military strategists must have felt like they'd been hit in the face with buckets of cold water. This reality check caused the Russians to increase their emphasis on military research and development. In the meantime, Russia retains its awesome nuclear capability; the means by which this proud nation makes its claim to superpower status And, Russian policy-makers have revoked the country's 1982 pledge of "no-first-use." The official Russian defence strategy is now "to launch on warning." That means it will launch a nuclear attack if it receives confirmation that it is under attack but before it actually sustains any damage. For decades, the United States has claimed this right to strike first when it believes it must.