This is an excellent point and one I rarely hear discussed. There is always a kernel of truth in the propaganda that we are fed, both in America and in Russia.

After the Berlin Wall fell, we expected people who had never lived in a democracy to learn how to navigate and succeed in a democratic system overnight. It takes years, if not decades, to change a cultural mindset, and we ignored that fact completely.

The Russian people suffered as a result of the changes that unfolded after the fall of the wall. So it should not be surprising that Russians blame the West. After all, it was Reagan who crowed "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Good job tying the past into the present. I look forward to reading more of your work.