Michele Bachmann has said that the U.S. still needs to keep an eye on the Soviet Union - even though the country hasn't existed for nearly 20 years.

The Republican presidential candidate gave a radio interview describing the remaining threat from the old Cold War rival.

The website Think Progress captured Bachmann in interview with right-wing Christian attorney Jay Sekulow.

She said: 'What people recognize is that there's a fear that the United States is in an unstoppable decline. They see the rise of China, the rise of India, the rise of the Soviet Union and our loss militarily going forward.'

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© ReutersMichele Bachmann has made a catalogue of historical gaffes
'And especially with this very bad debt ceiling bill, what we have done is given a favor to President Obama and the first thing he'll whack is $500 billion out of the military defence at a time when we're fighting three wars. People recognize that.'

The Soviet Union dissolved in December of 1991 and the U.S. has normalised relations with many of the countries that came from the break-up. The White House has reset its relationship with Russia.

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© Associated PressRepublican presidential candidate, Michele Bachmann is the favourite to oust Obama
This is the latest in a series of historical errors Bachmann has made since launching her campaign.

Earlier this week she got Elvis Presley's birthday wrong. She also revealed her ignorance about when slavery was abolished.

Despite her mistakes Bachmann remains near the top of GOP polls in her bid to unseat Obama.