[RedStateGuyTrappedinCT]

Putin described a deeply conservative world view in which Russia hankered after land lost when the Soviet Union collapsed.

Presenting himself as the guardian of the nation and of Russians everywhere, the former KGB spy spat defiance at the West and charted an inward-looking course that underlined the shift in his thinking since he first rose to power 14 years ago.

Didn't we see another leader back in the 30s present himself as the guardian of Germans everywhere (Sudetenland).
If I remember my history , during this period the US was also in the process of defunding the military..... How did that work out?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

If I remember my history , during this period the US was also in the process of defunding the military

Not really. Defense spending dropped to about 1-2% of GDP immediately after WW1, and gradually but pretty steadily increased to 2-3% of GDP in the 193os, with a couple of upward spikes around 1932 and 1935.