Learning curve..
IMHO it's Touch and go really. VERY easy to understand it all..But more difficult to counter your opponent's moves,
EG- If your enemy has a full fleet or Air Units, and you have only Tanks..But No Air Defense things can get very rough. So, the best tip is. Always! keep your base packed with EVERY type of defense, you will never know what your enemy is doing/done ;P'
Newbie Friendly?
Very!

- The game itself is so easy to pick up!! You just need some Logic to "Use" your army to the best!
BUT, it's best to play the older gamers (Red Alert 3..Red Alert Firestorm etc etc...Or Read its Story Line so you can relate to why the battle is going on!
OR you can have Skirmish battles with Bots or online..No storyline

The battlefield is yours to mess with!! You chose the rules! You chose want Army'(s) you want to VS! YOU chose how strong of an enemy they will be!
You can choose your Army, Soviet. USA, and another one..Cant recall it just yet lol
SUPERWEAPONS! NOTHING can stop these!! NOTHING! Each "Superweapon" has approx 7min to charge it. During the 7min, thats the time for YOU and your allys to take it out! Before its to late!
Russia Gets: Vacum Imploder - Leaves a devastating mess in the enemys base!!
And I cant remember the other ones...But I've just started playing again

So I can update this a bit
Remember! NEVER Underestimate your opponent!
Also, the great thing about this game is.. Tank Rushes will not win the battle anymore

It's always best to have a mixed army! never the same!