He's sore he lost the first Cold War and isn't going to lose the next. Why is this so hard for so many to grasp?

It's pretty much world domination.

Welcome to 1984. Not the novel. The reality.

He's putting the Soviet Union back together while destroying America.

If Belarus joins Russia formally, then all bets are off

I learned early on that any “Let” votes would never go to democrats, going back to Yalta. Even when I suspected that Trump was being a pawn, I couldn’t convince the older generation.

Now things have changed and they are frightened. I wish I could just say I told you so, but that doesn’t help my frustration.

The Baltics hate Russia, and are a completely different kettle of fish compared to the Crimea, which is a historical part of Russia, and has a very large Russian majority. Putin would never roll the dice on a direct attack (at least not now) of an actual NATO member state.


Collective defence - Article 5

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_110496.htm





Article 5

Now I’m not as certain.

But I truly hope you are correct.

He will make kinetic moves when a low risk, high return situation presents itself (Crimea, Syria, etc), but is not suicidal in the slightest. He is a vastly rational actor.

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NATO would not risk a European theater war over a few former Soviet nations being reclaimed.

Military generals consult with this Doctor of PoliSci, from time to time, who specializes in Eurasian & Asian affairs.

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professional colleagues say otherwise, but obviously on something as nebulous and speculative as this, opinions will vary. Poland would not be a 'first strike' target for Putin IMHO, for multivariate reasons, including size, predisposition of the present regime and overall populace there, and especially its surrounding nation state boundaries.

But as we know, Trump looks upon NATO as a protective service offered to countries who can afford to pay for the privilege, much like the mafia sells “protection” to the weak. He has already singled out Baltic states as not paying their share and therefore not entitled to the protection of the US forces, despite the opinion of our congress and generals, and other NATO members.

Starting last March at least, it looks like he's putting all his ducks in place. I can't tell how close he is to pulling the trigger.

and does he expect Christmas to end once Trump is found out?

but I don't think Putin has any need (economic reason) to go back into the Baltics. Ukraine was about gas pipelines, as is the recent move against the Kurds.