Putin's big gamble

"Yesterday, during the Zoom call between Biden and Putin, supposedly Biden warned Putin not to invade. Or else. I could almost feel the ground tremble from Putin's knees knocking together. Or not."

The world sure is a messy place. I guess that is all part of living in a broken world. I won't even go into the garbage which is happening to our country. Every morning on the news, more and more stories about rampant crime in just about every one of our large cities. Young thugs, stealing whatever and whenever they want. Maybe be arrested, and then immediately released. Then steal again. Why is that? You tell me. And last night, some misguided misfit, burned down the huge and fully decorated, Fox News Christmas tree. SMH. 

Meanwhile, as mayhem and crime rock our streets, danger is lurking off our shores. The Norks having designs on invading South Korea? I hope not. The Iranians finishing their nukes for use against Israel? Again, I hope not. China, making a move on Taiwan. Oh, please no! But Russia, getting ready to invade the Ukraine? That has many in NATO very concerned right now. But why in the world would Putin risk an armed conflict with NATO to invade a neighboring country? It is a gamble.

Because of Putin's track record (hello, Crimea), and the history of World War II still fresh in many Euro minds, to see a major power amass tens of thousands of troops on the border of a weaker country is enough to send chills down one's back. Some think this might be a strong message to drop any plans of allowing the Ukraine into NATO. And why would the Ukraine want to be in NATO? Article 5, Collective Defense. An attack against one is an attack against all. Sitting right next to Russia, who would not want that type of security?

One former general who was interviewed, had an interesting take. He thinks next month, when Putin has about 175,000 troops in place, and the ground is frozen enough for tanks and armored troop carriers, Russia will launch a limited strike on the Ukraine. Maybe just take a chunk of the Ukraine, and then leave. Just a message. But, but - what about NATO? Putin's gamble is Biden and the rest of NATO will just let it happen. Maybe some sanctions? That is all part of Biden's gamble. His gamble is that Russia can withstand the sanctions, and NATO will forget about the Ukraine. 

Yesterday, during the Zoom call between Biden and Putin, supposedly Biden warned Putin not to invade. Or else. I could almost feel the ground tremble from Putin's knees knocking together. Or not.

In any event, the world will be watching next month. We will be watching. The people of the Ukraine will be watching. China will be watching. How will this play out? Stay tuned. January could be a very interesting month.