I know as much about foreign policy as I do about women but this sounds about right to me. It's too bad the world just stood around after the Soviet Union imploded and let Russia be taken over by every crook with a beef instead of helping them come out of that hell. Ironic because there were so many other places into which we stuck our collective noses, so it's not as if we were shy about meddling in other countries.
I read a very interesting piece first looking at the sudden and not at all anticipated loss, by Germans, for Germany in WW1 followed by the severe punishments at the Versaille treaty. While the world was partying during the roaring 20s, Germany suffered and that lead to Hitler coming to power with his promises to restore the Third Reich. Many Germans may have disagreed with the Nazi policies, but the promise of returned pride he promised was too much to ignore. Similarly, it then talked about the fall of the USSR, which was also not foreseen by most in Russia. Although we did nothing to cause it, the collapse of an economic system that concentrates all power in only a few at the top of government (what communism does), only lead to the same situation Germany was in during the 1920s. Putin is also promising to restore the old empire, and the pride that would come with it.
Of course their are differences; the Russians on the streets of Moscow do not appear to be as gung-ho about supporting Putin, but when has that stopped a dictator.
Years ago I watched an interview with Tim O'Brien, an author and Vietnam vet, and I can distinctly remember hm talking about how everyone knew the war was wrong. However, not to fight and to abandon your fellow soldiers would take more courage then what most men have.
So, now that we gave up all of our deterrents when they actually could have done something and Putin is in Ukraine, this will not stop until Putin decides to stop or when he is stopped.
If Ukraine actually gets acceptance into the EU, I can only imagine that would elevate the situation and Europe may be looking at war again.
Edit
I hope it is just that fact that war in Europe, in my lifetime, has never happened until now and that is why I am overly concerned. Hopefully it will just fizzle out without going beyond Ukraine. History though
