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