Russia Isn't Rebuilding the Soviet Union (Obviously)

This is difficult for old hardliners to accept, but their way of thinking about this part of the world is hopelessly outdated.

Walter Russell Mead is back for an encore of not knowing what he’s talking about:

Pathetic throwback that he is, Mr. Putin used his time differently, rebuilding the Soviet Union [bold mine-DL] under the nose of a feckless and distracted West.

Whenever someone says that the Russian government is engaged in rebuilding the Soviet Union, it is a good sign tha…