This has been building up for many years. The first western “crack” came with Iraq…

Having set ourselves (primarily US/UK) as the world’s policeman Putin stood by and watched as the “stop the war” coalition gained traction, leading to Brown’s revenge inquiry into Blair and a series of ever weaker politicians running away and winning wars but not the peace (which is much harder).

This has culminated in today’s scenario where Putin knows that after the Afghanistan debacle orchestrated by Trump and Cameron no-one else wants to put boots on the ground as one death is too many. Like with Hitler we appeased him with Georgia, Belarus and Crimea and whilst this isn’t yet an “invading Poland” moment that surely will be on the cards before too long.

To some extent you can see his point, when the USSR collapsed NATO with its strategy of mutual defence stopped at Germany now it is gradually encircling Russia as the only country that isn’t with us so must by definition be the enemy and the best form of defence is attack especially if you are a mad propaganda spreading despot dictator.

Posted By: Ruttles, Feb 25, 09:16:08