A theory on the Red October marker:

It is about more than Russia. It was, and is, about what we are witnessing today: the Boomerang.

Towards the end of The Hunt for Red October there is a scene where the Red October, the Dallas, and a Russian Alpha sub are in combat. The Russian Alpha sub, tries multiple times to torpedo the Red October, but Capt. Ramius' experience and training outwit the Russian torpedos and render them ineffective. Out of frustration, the Captain of the Russian Alpha sub removes all the safety measures from his torpedos and orders his crew to fire upon the Red October. It appears the Red October is a goner and that the Russian attack sub will be victorious. At the last minute the Dallas performs a maneuver and buys the Red October a couple moments to react. With the torpedo again locked on the Red October the Capt. orders the crew perform a u-turn and head directly towards the Russian Alpha sub. The Red October keeps it's collision course with the Russian Alpha sub as the torpedo closes in on the Red October. At the last possible moment – when all looks grim for the Red October and her crew – The captain orders the Red October to preform a maneuver which avoids a collision with the Russian Alpha sub. As a result of the maneuver, the Russian Alpha sub's own torpedo locks on to the Russian Alpha sub and finds it's mark.

Boomerang!

The take away:

The emotions and desperation of the Russian Alpha sub's Captain causes his own demise because he is so hellbent on destroying his opponent that he exposes himself to his own attack.

"The hard part about playing chicken is knowin' when to flinch."

The clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLwQTJHwcoQ&feature=youtu.be&t=149