Laughable? Tell that to the family of the dead Russian pilot? Turkey called in the Russian Ambassador twice in two consecutive days before shooting down the plane warning the Russians to stop violating their airspace. Then they shot the plane down.
Yes, laughable. In a stand-up fight, the Russians would shred the Turks unless the US stepped in. It would not even be a contest.
Shooting down one plane is not even close to what would happen if Russia decided to drop the hammer.
Now could the US intervene and stop the Russians? Sure, if our generals were stupid enough to follow Obama’s orders to start WWIII with Russia. But they aren’t. Or at least I pray they aren’t...
Oh, and I am not saying what happened to the Russian pilot and his family is laughable. I’m saying that the idea Turkey on its own could stand up to Russia is laughable.