The apparent lack of coordination with allies and the mess generally of our Afghan exit emboldened adversaries. Particularly Russia given the timing of their current actions. China and NK have been doing what they’re doing now for years.

Most important thing to do with Russia now is to keep a united front with NATO and deliver the sanctions we say we will deliver as Russia acts. No room for hesitation if it happens, and it sure looks like something is likely to happen. Cutting Russia, Putin, and its oligarchs off from western banking systems will hurt them pretty severely.

Nobody expects a US military intervention in Ukraine. More of an open question whether we’d intervene directly with military force if Taiwan were actually invaded. So imo we don’t have to intervene in Ukraine militarily to keep concerns about retaliation in China’s thinking. We need to keep squabbles with allies to a minimum, unlike in Biden’s first year, and we have to follow through with the response we promise if and when Russia acts.
[Post edited by hoolstoptheheels at 01/23/2022 2:27PM]