I was listening to a podcast interview of Russian expert analyst, Ian Bremmer, who said that Putin is stunned at the resolve and leadership of President Biden as he pushes back on Putin's threat to invade Ukraine. Putin had thought there was a real opportunity to split a weak and indecisive NATO, an opportunity to bully an old, senile Biden, and continue his project of re-establishing the old Soviet sphere of influence, especially pushing the U.S. out of NATO and reducing NATO military defenses. He suffers from delusions of Russian empire along the lines of the Soviet empire.
But he found a firmly resolved U.S. led by Biden who has coordinated with the NATO countries to push back and inflict real pain on Putin if he misjudges and tries to take over control of Ukraine.
It is always possible, of course, that Putin will do damage, and it could be terrible, and I deeply hope that the U.S., NATO, and Russia can negotiate a resolution to Putin's mistaken power play. But there is a real danger here. Especially since Putin and China's Xi are buddying up to weaken the U.S for each of their own reasons. There has long been a terrible possibility that America could have military conflicts with both China and Russia. I am hoping and praying that wise, and firm, and collaborative leadership by Biden and America can calm these tensions and lead to a more peaceful world, especially amongst these three powers.
(Don't even mention North Korea, who is probably feeling neglected and wanting flex its nuclear threats)
