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David Gray's avatar

Relative to sanctions against Russia - when to pull the trigger and how far to go - I do hold some empathy for the US/Nato side. To unload everything now leaves nothing in the quiver for when the Russian tanks start rolling into western Ukraine.

TBH, a full-scale occupation of Ukraine would be a catastrophic outcome... but Putin might want to be careful what he wishes for. It could be the beginning of the end of his regime.

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Don Gates's avatar

Some of these analysts say the man sounds like he's losing his mind. It is possible this could bring about his own downfall. But I fear he may not be willing to go down without firing off at least a nuke or two.

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David Gray's avatar

That is a risk.

Somewhat optimistically, I try to envision the Russian power structure as a mob family. If the boss is starting to lose it and making decision that are clearly harming the organization, the captains - in order to protect their own interests - have a strong incentive to eliminate said boss and put someone more rational in his position.

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rlritt's avatar

This may happen if the oligarchs start seeing the foreign owned properties confiscated and their bank accounts frozen.

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