Russia reportedly planning large-scale nuclear exercise

I agree.

An American long-term presence in Iraq (military bases included) probably spooks them. They might want the world to take notice that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

 

This may be as much for domestic consumption as anything else. Putin has been under criticism for suppressing potential opponents (the billionaire who's in jail, for example... the name escapes me) and he's been selling major chunks of military hardware for relatively chump change, sometimes to countries who could cause Russia problems, like China. And they just concluded a deal to sell an aircraft carrier to India, along with Migs and other equipment, for what I'd bet is a lot less than what it cost to build it.

The fact that Russia can't afford to pay it's military their wages on time, keep it's equipment in shape and/or up to date, and is selling so much of it off, makes them look in dire finacial shape. And they are. Something like this exercise plays well at home and "shows the world" that Russia is still a "great power".

 

Fair enough.

I agree with you that nukes kept us from fighting WWIII and the Russians are just exercising to keep their nuke forces and response up to date. I have to imagine though that they are doing it now in response to our show of strength in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are reminding the rest of the world that they are still a military superpower.