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New The Economist weighs in.
About what one would expect, but seemingly sensible nonetheless:

[...]

The next step is to craft a response as supple as the onslaught. Part of the trouble is that Mr Putin plays by different rules; indeed, for him, there are no inviolable rules, nor universal values, nor even cast-iron facts (such as who shot down flight MH17). There are only interests. His Russia has graduated from harassing ambassadors and assassinating critics to invasions. This is one of his assets: a readiness to stoop to methods the West cannot emulate without sullying itself.

The current version of this quandary is whether, if the latest ceasefire fails, to arm Ukraine. Proponents think defensive weapons would inflict a cost on Mr Putin for fighting on. But anyone who doubts his tolerance of mass casualties should recall his war in Chechnya. If arms really are to deter him, the West must be united and ready to match his inevitable escalation with still more powerful weapons (along, eventually, with personnel to operate them). Yet the alliance is split over the idea. Mr Putin portrays the war as a Western provocation: arming Ukraine would turn that from fantasy to something like fact, while letting him expose the limits of Western unity and its lack of resolve — prizes he cherishes. If fresh Russian aggression galvanises the alliance, arming Ukraine will become a more potent threat. Until that point, it would backfire.

A better strategy is to eschew his methods and rely on an asset that he, in turn, cannot match: a way of life that people covet. If that seems wishy-washy beside his tanks, remember that the crisis began with Ukrainians’ desire to tilt towards the EU — and Mr Putin’s determination to stop them. Better than arms, the West must urgently give Ukraine as much aid as it needs to build a state and realise that dream (and as much advice as it takes to ensure the cash is not misspent or stolen). The IMF deal announced on February 12th should be only a start. Mr Putin wants Ukraine to be a lesson in the perils of leaning West. It should instead be an exemplar of the rewards.

Just as urgently, those former Soviet countries that have joined Western institutions must be buttressed and reassured. If the case for sending arms to the Donbas is doubtful, that for basing NATO troops in the Baltics is overwhelming, however loudly Mr Putin squeals. Western leaders must make it clear, to him and their own people, that they will defend their allies, and the alliance — even if the struggle is covert and murky.

And it isn’t only its allies who appreciate the West’s virtues. So do many Russians, including shameless Putinists who denounce the West’s decadence but exploit its schools and stockmarkets. It is long past time for every Russian parliamentarian and senior official to join the sanctions list. Far from being relaxed as, after Minsk, fellow-travellers may suggest, sanctions must be tightened — and sanctions-busting curtailed (see article). In the end, they will prove a stronger lever than weapons.

At the same time, the West should use every available means to help ordinary Russians, including Russian-sympathisers in the Baltics and Ukraine, learn the bloody, venal truth about Mr Putin. It should let them know that Russia, a great nation dragged down a terrible path, will be embraced when it has rulers who treat the world, and their own people, with respect not contempt, however long that takes.


It won't be easy, of course, especially in a country with a history of official corruption and a politically divided population. But playing whack-a-mole with Putin isn't the way to win.

Cheers,
Scott.
New Odd, isn't it? how that last sentence applies to another, familiar country,
whose divisiveness also drags it towards a terrible path, (unless its citizenry regains control, soon enough.)

May the 21st not emulate the 20th Century, and Putin see a shrink (also ... in time.)
New Yes, for $DEITY'S sake! The Victory of Consumerism will save us ALL!
It was, after all, responsible for the tearing down of the Berlin Wall! Reaganites of the World, UNITE!
New {chortle} ..Yeah, it's tough, innit?
when you can't wave the Flag of any of the usual combatants: each wanting to "return to" some magical status-quo-ante (each tribe with own variant of Rose-color.)
(None of that worked out, of course; the plutocrats stole everything portable Or stationary, etc. But we must preserve Farmily Valuez ... and chestnuts roasting by an open fire.)



But THIS time, doing the same stupid shit: will turn out *differently.




* the planet will be noticeably warmer, that is... having gotten no respect ... amidst all the bills for more er, growth? was it.. and those pregnant sluts will have to work rilly hard even to find any birth-control equipment or service.

This just in via Democracy Now (Heh.. on that 'now' fantasy) But we Need such soft-lies..
Couple more cop murders: guy with a rock; another the details? m.e.g.o.; a guy's spine severely injured via a takedown; (he spoke neither English nor Cop--submission language.)
And elsewhere (pbs/news?) 400% incarceration rate increase over past 4 decades ... some have awakened from slumber long enough to query whether the facts: that the LCD of all perps is ... they are poor, and that this shit isn't working.. might change In another few decades, other methods might be tried. (Maybe when the avge. temper matches the average temper-ature?)

That is all for the day here in Sucky Murica/its final phase.
New Right on, and thanks!
It's time to cut off Russia from SWIFT. For one thing, it would make it tougher for the cleptocracy to be robbing the banks of the world. The reputed cybertheft hit some 100 banks in 30 countries has added up to roughly a billion dollars just recently.
Alex

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."

-- Isaac Asimov
     The ceasefire agreement sounds like a win for Ukraine. - (Another Scott) - (17)
         Will guys like this leave, too? - (mmoffitt) - (7)
             Lots of people speak English. - (Another Scott) - (6)
                 It could end in a second with these words from Poroshenko. - (mmoffitt) - (5)
                     Putin started this because of an EU agreement, not a proposed NATO agreement... - (Another Scott) - (4)
                         Re: NATO is a side issue. You know this. - (a6l6e6x) - (3)
                             Yup. Thanks. -NT - (Another Scott)
                             I guess that all depends on whose propaganda you want to believe. - (mmoffitt) - (1)
                                 #397198 - (Another Scott)
         It's only a lull before the spring offensive. - (a6l6e6x) - (3)
             I would suspect that as well, but... - (Another Scott) - (2)
                 Vlad is richer than Warren Buffett. - (a6l6e6x) - (1)
                     Interesting, that last.. - (Ashton)
         The Economist weighs in. - (Another Scott) - (4)
             Odd, isn't it? how that last sentence applies to another, familiar country, - (Ashton)
             Yes, for $DEITY'S sake! The Victory of Consumerism will save us ALL! - (mmoffitt) - (1)
                 {chortle} ..Yeah, it's tough, innit? - (Ashton)
             Right on, and thanks! - (a6l6e6x)

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