What If the Soviet Union Reunited Today?

Thinking about a 2017 reunion of the USSR raises interesting possibilities as we near the centennial of the Russian Communist Revolution. The former Soviet Union would include Russia as well as its former satellite states, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and others, if it were to reappear today and cover a sizable area. With a population that would rival that of the United States and a terrain larger than Australia, a modern Soviet Union would surely fundamentally alter world dynamics.

With eleven different time zones, the USSR would be extremely large and logistically difficult to deal with. Russian would be the official language, and ethnic Russians would predominate despite a population that was comparable to that of 1991. A return to communism would mean the Communist Party would once again be in charge, mirroring Soviet-era practices, and religious freedom would probably be restricted, resembling previous prohibitions on religious expression in public.

The capital would continue to be Moscow, the historical epicenter, with additional important cities included in the list, including Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Kiev, Tashkent, and Minsk. The USSR would have enormous economic sway because of its eighth-ranked economy in the world, which is primarily supported by its enormous oil reserves and other natural resources. A low GDP per capita, however, highlights economic differences within the population, which is a problem that must be solved for long-term development and growth.

With the greatest nuclear arsenal in the world and a strong conventional military force, the Soviet Union would be a powerful military force. After the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia, the USSR would be ranked fourth in the world with a defense budget of 80.4 billion US dollars. Its ability to protect its borders and exert its influence on the international scene would be guaranteed by its military capabilities and large pool of active duty and reserve soldiers.

However, the USSR's military strength may not be fully realized due to economic constraints. With only 6,899 US dollars per person as its GDP, the nation would struggle to maintain and properly equip its military forces. Additionally, the country's overall economic potential may be limited by the shift to a command economy and state-controlled businesses, which could hinder innovation and efficiency.

The USSR's geopolitical significance would increase if it were to expand its boundaries to include areas that were once part of the Russian Empire. The USSR would become a massive powerhouse, encompassing all of Finland, a large chunk of Poland, including Warsaw, and even reaching Alaska. With this new land, the Soviet Union's population would soar to over 313 million, and its economic status would also soar.

The USSR's GDP of 2.541 trillion US dollars would make it the sixth largest economy in the world, larger than that of both France and India combined. The giant Soviet Union would have a larger landmass than the Mongol Empire did at its height, highlighting its enormous influence throughout the world. The USSR would nevertheless have fundamental obstacles, both internal and external, that could affect its course in the contemporary world despite its formidable economic and military power.

Geographical factors continue to shape the strategic interests and weaknesses of the USSR. In the past, Moscow was protected from Western Europe by buffer nations, which were an essential defensive strategy. But in the present period, these buffer states are absent, leaving Russia vulnerable to possible Western threats and complicating its geopolitical calculations. Furthermore, restricted access to ports free of ice limits marine capabilities, which has an impact on trade and naval operations.

Geopolitical tensions brought about by a resurgent Soviet Union would probably usher in a new Cold War era marked by rivalry and competition. International relations would be significantly shaped by its contacts with surrounding countries and superpowers. Even while geographic limitations and economic realities would limit the USSR's power, its activities on the international scene would have an impact on multiple continents.

In conclusion, a complicated geopolitical scenario with wide-ranging consequences is presented by the fictitious Soviet Union's revival in the current period. Its course in the international arena would be shaped by obstacles including economic inequality, regional tensions, and geopolitical vulnerabilities, notwithstanding its overwhelming military and economic might. Understanding the dynamics of power, geography, and ideology is still crucial for navigating the complexity of the modern world, especially as we consider the legacy of the Soviet Union and its possible comeback.

I will go into greater detail on the geopolitical ramifications of a revived Soviet Union in my upcoming piece, examining how it may affect regional dynamics, global stability, and the changing geopolitical landscape. A thorough examination of this fascinating hypothetical situation will be coming soon.