I think Russia also engineered the Middle East nuclear exchange. Think about it. Who benefits if the Middle East's oil production is up in nuclear flames? The second largest oil producer, Russia! Who is now dependent on Russian oil exports? Much of the world, including your geopolitical rivals! It's the perfect strategy to engineer your own rise to superpower status.
If it's true that Russia instigated the Middle East nuclear exchange, then their plan worked too well (keep in mind this is from a Russian perspective). In the eyes of Russia, their newfound prosperity has made the world envious of Russia and her bountiful resources. Two of those countries just so happen to be superpowers, and have Russia as a common, historical foe. The Russian leadership thinks the USA and Europe could easily put aside their differences and work together to invade Russia, influenced by their jealousy of their oil-rich neighbor. What do you do to prevent two superpowers from getting too chummy and ganging up on you? Manipulate events to turn them against each other, of course! In short, Russia engineered their rise to superpower status, but in doing so they're now afraid that their enemies are envious and have plans for an invasion, necessitating another plot to keep their enemies divided.
There's every chance that Russia's instigation of WW3 was entirely unnecessary, and their paranoia was ultimately their downfall. In-game lore and mined voice files show that Europe was on its way to achieving energy independence through alternative energies and other advanced technologies. As for the US, in real life they're already the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world (to say nothing of the other resources they already have). The reality is that both Europe and America likely never actually wanted to invade Russia for its oil because they wouldn't have needed it. If that's the case, then Russia started WW3for nothing...
That's going to depend on how Russia comes out of WW3. Sure, if Russia loses, their scheming failed and got a lot of people killed and basically backfired, putting another power in charge. But if they win, they've got a good run as the uncontested superpower of the new era, and likely get to use the spoils and tech they wrenched from Europe and America's hands to benefit Russia instead.
