Let's say that rather than Gorbachev a hardliner takes over (say Ligachyov) who clamps down on liberalism and in a last ditch attempt to avoid instability embraces neo-stalinist totalitarianism. This fails and order completely breaks down into the Second Russian Civil War that lasts until the mid-2000's with 60% of the population dead. Along with otl's secessions Russia also loses Karelia, the North Caucuses, Komi, and Siberia. All that's left of the Union is central Russia, the Volga, and possibly parts of Kazakhstan that while too weak to reinvade their neighbors still has a sizeable nuclear arsenal and control of the population exceeding the Stalin era.
What happens now that the USSR is reduced to a rogue state? What does the US do during the war period? Could the population loss lead to neighboring states annexing the former SSRs? What kinds of crisis could there be in the following decade up to the early 2010's?
What happens now that the USSR is reduced to a rogue state? What does the US do during the war period? Could the population loss lead to neighboring states annexing the former SSRs? What kinds of crisis could there be in the following decade up to the early 2010's?