“The Soviet Union half-dominated world politics for 45 years. Former satellites, especially China, are still kicking. Can’t take that away from them.”
True, but neither can one “take away” the 100-million plus people who died under Communist regimes in the twentieth century, most of them subjects of the Soviet Union, the PRC, Cuba, Cambodia, North Vietnam, North Korea and other such regimes. I for one find it difficult to respect the power of any nation whose achievements - no matter how impressive - are built upon the corpses of countless, nameless victims.
“I for one find it difficult to respect the power of any nation whose achievements - no matter how impressive - are built upon the corpses of countless, nameless victims.”
Whether or not it deserves your moral sanction, communist power deserves respect qua power. For power is force, and if not measured in actual violence, then in latent ability to commit violence.