Patrick Armstrong provides an overview of circumstances and challenges currently facing Russia.
The SanctionsThe hypocrisy is thick: NordStream 2 (
257.a.9) is specifically targeted; damage to NASA (
237) is carefully voided. (NASA needs the Russians to get to the ISS and to launch things but European allies can
freeze in the dark. Take that, Europeans, it's for your own good! "
You can't... ask for a bigger U.S. military commitment... while... oppose nonmilitary coercive measures").
The effect of anti-Russia sanctions since 2014 is that Europe has likely suffered more than Russia and certainly more than the USA; Russia has used the sanctions (and its counter sanctions) to increase domestic production (see below) whereas Europe has just lost markets. Well, we'll find out whether Europe has the feet to stand on that
Merkel thinks it has. Russia has many ways to respond and, as Jeffrey Carr has
pointed out, Congress has shown it where to hit hardest. Another thing to find out is whether Moscow decides it's had enough - as
Medvedev suggests - and that it's time to make its "partner" hurt. (
Some responses: no more rocket engines, no overflights, no supply line to Afghanistan, no US NGOs, no Russian investments in USA, no accepting US dollars in trade. But Putin & Co will probably come up with something cleverer than anything I can think of). They will be a drag on Washington's foreign policy for decades: "never recognize" Crimea in Russia (
257.a.3)? well, they're going to have to some time. I am
collecting negative reactions on my site.
They're another step on the downward trajectory of the USA: they will drive a wedge between Europe and the USA; push Russia closer to China; may even lead to a rapprochement between Europe and Russia. But short-sighted outbursts are to be expected in the final days I suppose: Congress' war with Trump displays a contemptuous indifference to its allies' interests. (Mercouris argues that Trump's signing statement
hints at a Supreme Court challenge: very plausible given that there is nothing to the Russia collusion story - even the
WaPo seems to be
backing off - and that Trump will be able to appoint more SC judges.)
Comment: Will the remodeling get rid of those bizarre murals? Creepiest airport in the world - Denver International Airport