What are the perceptions of the outside world about Animal Farm now? How is this paralleled with the fear yet grudging respect many felt for the USSR during the Cold War?

I can only speak for the general North American perception. It is seen as clever satire not only of cold war era politics but human nature itself. Ideas of fake news and propaganda are especially relevant today. The gullible masses, strong-man leaders, capitalism, socialism are all hot topics at this moment.