[the invisib1e hand]

an added benefit to the world's second largest owner and exporter of crude oil is the high risk of one more spike if they threaten that pipeline.

it's been their market for years, but they've begun to lose control over the price, as economic reality always catches up with market-deniers and manipulators.

I wouldn't go so far as to postulate that such is the primary motivation for Putin's naked aggression, but would be surprised if it did not figure significantly into his calculations.

Incidentally, I thought he wasn't president anymore.... /s

[Sola Veritas]

“Incidentally, I thought he wasn’t president anymore.... /s”

I think we need to start calling him “Premier Putin.”