No one wants their country surrounded by another country's bases and forces. Look at the stink we raised when we caught them putting missiles in Cuba. In fact, when they had anything going at all with Cuba.

I can see their point, but I'm not making a moral judgement here; I'm just talking tactics. If they want to prevent potential, future threats to their homeland, it seems they are going about discouraging us the wrong way. It appears the final result will be just the opposite, a reinvigorated, suspicious, and thoroughly united and resolved NATO. That's a big price to pay for installing a puppet regime in a a hostile and rebellious Ukraine.

Yep, I think Putin has really stepped on his dick here. The problem is, I think he's realized that too, and now he's determined to salvage what he can out of this mess. He will be tempted to take risks, especially in order to save face. And down THAT road, everybody loses.

And if we wimp out and he pulls it off, the Baltics are next.