The west was enjoying the peace dividend while Russians were dealing with the collapse of the USSR so the answer to your question depends on who you ask.

The political situation is absurd, but its clear that people are far more resilient against state control, so in some ways its improving.

We were talking about big tech, not global politics.

There's a clear connection between tech (social media, loneliness epidemic, etc) and political decline.

No there isn't.

I'm rubber you're glue

Compelling.

If we're talking the 90s, No. The US is not at war invading another country (Iraq).