... that might be part of the plan to bait Russia into sparking WW3 and drawing in the Americans & NATO. On the other hand it might provide Russia with the opportunity to send a message that they're not to be trifled with. Avoid direct confrontation with the US, but kick its yapping poodle to the curb. I expect we would find the 'special relationship' wouldn't amount to much in that situation, as there's no way the US would be able to confront Russia directly (unless it went nuclear of course).

I'm probably revealing my ignorance of how these things work again - which is fine, I don't aspire to the kind of sociopathy that governs those levels of international relations. And 'kicking the poodle to the curb' sounds satisfying in a Hollywood schadenfreude kind of way until you think about what that means for all the ordinary people who would likely suffer as a consequence. But is there any other way out of this other than a short, sharp shock to bring these d!ckheads to their senses?

Genuine question, if anyone feels like answering.

cheers,
I