Military parades are one of Russia's oldest traditions. Dating for hundreds of years, far before the Soviet Union, Russia's militarism was necessary to deter aggression from its neighbors. It has not always been that successful, yet even today Russia relies on its militaristic shows to send signals to its rivals. Today, Russia feels that displaying its military might is necessary again. Most Russians feel the country's sovereignty is being threatened by an expanding NATO. The United States remains indifferent to Russia's fear, so it will adamantly push for NATO's expansion. Yet an economically strong Russia will not tolerate Western hegemony. With Russia's growing economic might, it will match that with its military might. And while the United States remains bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving almost all other national security challenged unchecked, including Russia. The US focuses on starting a war with Iran, while Russia by contrast remains a far greater security threat to the West. Russia's combined power is reported as "The second greatest military power in the world. Second only to the United States" reports and aid of Condolezza Rice to ABC news. Though this may have not attracted much attention to sceptical Westerners, who many still view Russia as a state on the verge of collapse. Yet their pessimism is greatly overrated. Russia's economy is no where near collapse, ranking as officially the world's seventh largest economy. By 2020 it is expected to be in the top five. Russia improved rapidly in the past decade, and to counter Western ignorance, has displayed its amped up military weapons to show Russia has power and is not afraid to use it. The West has often taken an odd stance on Russia. Unwilling and unable to deal with Russia's resurgence, they think the best way to handle Russia's assertiveness is to just ignore it and hope it goes away. Yet, like the eight-hundred pound gorilla in the room, Russia will become harder and harder for the West to ignore. Particularly if military parades like this continue year after year.

Russia is not a threat to the world or the West. It is we as westerns who have abused Russia with arrogance to not see them as a true source of hope for greater global security. Russia would not be threatening, if it does not feel threatened. We as westerners must realize that Russia "the Motherland" a mother must protect her children and her home. That these negative viewpoints of Russia only hurts the world and pushed us once towards Nuclear war. The US should not breathe down Mededev's neck or Putin. They are doing what is deemed good in their people's eyes. We have no right to go into another country and tell them what to do. Let Russia be Russia.