So here’s my take on Crimea, Ukraine, and Russia: Read folks who, unlike me, actually know something about Crimea, Ukraine, and Russia.
What should the US do about C/U/R? Criminy. I’ll go with what has evolved into my default position on all matters in which the US is urged (often, but not always, by mouth-foamers) to do something: Ask four questions.
- What, practically*, can be done?
- If there is anything, practically, to be done, what among those options will make the situation better?
- What is “better”?
- What happens if the chosen action fails?
(*As in, what actually could be accomplished and what are the odds of success.)
There are other considerations, of course, including prior commitments and reputation management and allied relations, but it seems that amidst those other considerations, these four questions have gotta be answered.
I don’t know what those answers are in this situation, tho’ I do know I’m skeptical of aggressive action. As for those who think Putin is pwning our president, well, I’m skeptical that aggression is a sign of strength.
And if Putin does end up getting his way and keeping Crimea? I guess he wins, whatever that means. A bad outcome, but probably not the worst.
Now, on to something about which I can know with 100 percent absolute super confidence: What happened to that Malaysian jet?
The Rapture, of course!
Duh.
AbsurdBeats 
rapture of the deep blue sea i’m afriad, yeah they should just hurt Putin in his wallet as they can as they have with Iran, no bank is an island…
Yes, I think you’re right: the baroque mystery will turn into simple tragedy.
[…] opposed to the limited bombing in support of the evacuation of the Yazidis, largely because it was limited in time and place and for a specific purpose, and for which the alternatives, including doing nothing, were unlikely to work in preventing a […]