Good point - as an european, I see for example Turkey as much bigger threat currently compared to Russia. They are aggressive as hell, directly (Syria, Greece, semi-open support of ISIS in the region) and indirectly (ie Karabach). Putin will be gone one day, and the idea that somebody more like Erdogan would be leading Russia gives me goosebumps.

You don't have to project power to distant places only directly via supercarriers and local military bases, various subversions can get you pretty far.