all fair points you make but here we have Putin playing chess with live rounds and Obama playing old maid with race cards. If i didnt care about the human race Id bet my chips on Putins horse.
Push comes to shove, Putin would cause serious problems for Obama and the nation. That’s not to say that he is smart though.
Bullies can prevail or cause serious injury, but that does not make them smart strategic thinkers. It’s just makes them ignorant bullies.