Haha, the kinda repressed weird half. The other half is the hand talking loud Jewish side.

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The solution to Putin, as it has always been for despots, is to be strong and resolute while leaning forward in your saddle and providing clear evidence that there are things for which you will fight.

Despots are interested in expanding and retaining their power. When they cannot expand their power, then retaining it becomes the critical consideration of their days.

Putin wants to recreate the old USSR, but he doesn’t have the economic engine to do that. The US has to throw chips onto the table and make Russia meet that ante while driving down the revenue from his primary source of funding — energy.

Reagan got it right and the Russians pulled out of Eastern Europe because they could nto afford to stay.

Pres Trump is correct in that NATO needs to re-evaluate its mission and the contributions that each member nation is willing to make to ensure freedom. There is an 80-20 rule at work here. The twenty percent will be allowed to do eighty percent of the work unless they object.

The retooling of NATO is not a surprise. It is an ancient alliance which has worked well, but it needs a rehab like a HGTV show. It would be a surprise if it did not.

Which half of you is Estonian?

BRC
http://www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com

Great post Jeff, thank you for taking the time… indeed, Putin is a bully, but the war will not go further … Too much at stake for all parties …

Dear Donna, I’m a Romanian, I’m a Psychologist, formerly clinician now sliding in to business and consumer behaviour…

Visiting Romania should not be hindered by its proximity to Ukraine or Russia, for those that don’t know, Romania, is the first one to publicly announce its intention to exit USSR…, Ceausescu was visited by Nixon in ’69, later he met with Queen Elizabeth in ’78 … Well, now Romania, is playing a greater role than ever in CEE, it’s the main gateway in EU for Moldova, now safe from Russia …It’s the 7th largest country in EU … and there are many other attributes that makes Romania a great country, one other thing is that King Mihai (forcefully dethroned by communists) of Romania is the last living cousin to the current GB Queen (http://www.exclusivnews.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/regina-angliei-regele-mihai.jpg), now it’s only safe to assume that NATO and EU are all over/protecting Romania …

I would like to salute your daughter’s willingness to visit – an orphanage – located in Romania, I’m sure her experience included more than that. Yet, I understand your concerns at that time in regards to Romania having borders with Ukraine, implicitly proximal to the conflict zone … I’m glad you have weighted and decided to let her go still. Amongst her visit to an orphanage, I’m sure she must have enjoyed some of these “treats” …. See here – http://visual.ly/why-not-get-know-romania

All the best 😉

Vlad ( http://about.me/psychologist)

One of Churchill’s bio’s Lion in Winter relays these events and Churchill’s lone voice which eventually proved prophetic. I know you like Churchill. 🙂

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Why does Putin stop given the failure of the West to push back? He’s not particularly worried about visiting Disneyland, no?

Putin’s motivations and desires are the EASY part of the equation to understand. Changing or thwarting them is the challenge.

If the trade relationships don’t suffer (e.g. Germany), what is the strategic case for opposing Putin?

BRC
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