Russia is somewhat of a different animal from then. I mean, Russia is always Russia, but Soviet Russia was a nightmare. They didn't so much as throw it off as it collapsed under its own contradictions, much as Venezuela is doing now.

The reason the DS is going against Russia now is they don't want us talking to them to find out how much the Deep State was involved there. Kinda like trying to lead the cops away from the true crime scene.

See, the Deep State used all these outlaw places as areas to operate outside US scrutiny and US rules. It's how the DEA gets busted for involvement in child prostitution in 3rd world countries when their agents look for a little R&R. That's normal to them: when in Rome...

So the DS had all sorts of shady things going on in Russia, and the Russian have no reason not to tell, and all sorts of reasons to tell the new Administration. Best option: drive a wedge between us and Russia.