” I can’t believe he’d be stupid enough to push the issue at this point, really. He’s gotten what he wanted “
Ike’s First Law — NEVER assume that your enemy is making the same calculations that you are....
We don’t *know*, at this point, exactly what it is that Putin ‘wanted’ from this exercise...
Amen. Too many in the West, and even on FR, project motives of democratic politicians and leaders onto those of totaliarian thug states like Russia and China, thinking they are only after profits and “respect,” rather than conquest.
I *thought* he’d back off yesterday after the president’s announcement. I *thought* he was reconning for the main line of resistance. He has NOT backed off, and indeed seems to be stepping up the tempo. I wouldn’t count on anything now.