And using the same argument and logic, Putin could invade Ukraine mainland because there are millions of Russians who live on the eastern Ukrainian border - what is to stop him from taking his crown jewel, Ukraine - by force. Also, as a previous poster mentioned, Poland and Belarus better be ready for an embrace with the Red Army. But seriously - this is an issue that this administration must respond to effectively and immediately, not only because of what is perceived of the US worldwide, but to show Putin that he will not unilaterally dictate central and eastern European policy while snubbing US doctrine. The US must do everything in its power both diplomatically and economically to cripple the kremlin because getting into a war is not an option...not with Russia.
Well sadly Putin doesn't care about diplomacy and there isn't much economically we can do to him. At this point, he has already won. He has troops on the ground and control of the region. The game is over and we can't even get ourselves and our allies to agree what game we are playing.
Putin can look at US economics and decide the US isn't going to get too involved in an economic struggle (such as the arms races of the past) for several years (the balance of Obama's term and a recovery from his policies), and I agree allied trust/participation in US plans is pretty much a thing of the past. Another element that will be an issue for several years
Please excuse my utter and complete ignorance on the subject but why does the US care if Russia invades Ukraine? Yes this is a serious question, politics have never interested me until recently.
Putin has repeatedly referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union "the greatest calamity" of the last hundred years. He wants it back. While it will never be what it was, he is capable of making Russia into a great power again. And that will bring us right back where we were before Regan. This time with Russia closely aligned with both China and Islamic dictatorships.
I dont know about China. They've seemed to have charted their own course since the 1970s and are more recluse in terms of their military and took a different route than Russia. They care more about expanding their influence economically. The US and China are also too linked economically these days for really either one to put pressure on each other for anything. Too much money at stake.Iran and Syria though is going to continue to be a problem.
