Nuland and Kagan are really scary folks and one of my greater disappointments with Obama is the fact that he not only hasn't rooted out all of these types, but he actually appointed a few.

However, as bad as they are, the problem isn't of their making...this is mostly domestic for Putin and keeping NATO and the EU on the other side of a buffer. There really is no downside for him, except perhaps solidifying Ukrainian nationalism.

*The* Puget Sound? Don't let Fnarf see this.

It's so foolish to engage you, Sgt. Doom. I'm making such a big mistake, but...

If possible, can you explain how your math works out here?

The narrative surrounding the "coup" in Ukraine was that the protesters wanted to be part of the EU and not beholden to Russia.

In your narrative, the US sponsored these protests but also say "fuck the EU" for some reason.

How do these things go together, and what benefit is there to the US for having Ukraine in crisis or giving Russia an "excuse" to invade Ukraine?

Are you suggesting this is all an attempt to get the US to squeeze Russia out of the lucrative natural gas market, (an economic reason), or are you just shouting talking points for the sake of being outraged, or... what?

What, specifically is behind what you are claiming? And what part does an American saying "fuck the EU" have to do with it?

I fail to see what this has to do with Benghazi

I hope he writes a feature, especially if he goes to eastern Ukraine

So, an unelected government installed by force is signing deals with the IMF and the EU even though the previously government was elected on a neutral platform, but there is nothing to see there? Don't drink the Kool-aid, folks.

@8: don't eat the RT propaganda, either.

@9 Which part of what I said isn't fact?

For the record, I hold Russia responsible for annexing Crimea and I hold the unelected government in Kiev responsible for shoving its will down the throat of eastern Ukrainians.

A. Russia sends its special forces into Eastern Ukraine to wreak havoc.
B. The Ukrainian government tries to put down the violence.
C. Russia uses the violence of its own making as the basis for saying Ukraine can't protect its own citizens.
D. Russia invades??? We'll see.

I'm reminded of the joke about the definition of chutzpah. A guy murders his parents and then pleads with the judge for mercy because he's an orphan.

Of course, Putin apologists like anon1256 here (who's repeatedly shown up on these Chris Collison threads to push the Putin party line)--these Putin apologists conveniently forget the original act of chutzpah by the Russian Federation: the economic blackmail and sabotage that Russia has perpetrated against Ukraine, Armenia, and Moldova to pressure them to back out of closer ties with the EU and enter into his imperial "Eurasian Union."

@11 - Collison himself acknowledges that Eastern Ukrainians do not want the government in Kiev but somehow has nothing to say about putchists making fundamental decisions for all Ukrainians before national elections take place and anybody who'll mention it will be called a Putin apologist. My, what a liberal you are... shame on you.