@Caleb James DeLisle @Sovereign :israel_burn: Historical precedent is there, sure. In terms of what's actually needed for current industrial output, what is there of use between what is now the Russian border and, say, Berlin?
Land, yes, but who is there to occupy that land and for what purpose? Crimea was annexed because it is a warm port that was at risk of becoming hostile. There are some ice free ports in the Baltics, but I have a feeling it's easier to deal with the Turkroaches and their canal. Occupation still needs your people to settle there. Below replacement rate, plus war losses, how would that even be possible this century?
As for the US falling, I'm not holding my breath. The USSR collapsed and look where we are now. The things that are done to US citizens currently are done by their own (supposedly) government. When it's a completely hostile nation taking over and even the most retarded normgroid can get the picture, the dynamic changes completely.