World Security 1946 to date

Yep, apparently there's boat loads of folks trying their damnedest to get here.

 

I didn't say that I supported Putins approach or that I wanted him to invade the Baltics.

Maybe the last sentence should have been a separate paragraph!

What I meant was that over the last 20 or so years the rest of the world has tried to marginalise Russia from having influence.

Russia has a legitimate position at the top table without constantly being painted as the hardline "niet" merchants vetoing everything. The dismissive nature of it plays into the hands of Putin. And ends up with Russia being even more of isolated nation far away from prying eyes.

With the way the middle east is every point of influence is needed at present.

 

Yes - Russia has been deeply humiliated over the past few of decades since they effectively lost the 'cold war' and their tie to communism. The West - rather than being positive and supportive - gloated a bit.

And psychos like Putin don't react very well to that sort of thing...

 

Exactly right. When you look at Putins unlikely and determined route to power it all stems back to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Putin was in East Germany that day and left in a hurry embarrassed and humiliated.

One of my mates was in Berlin that day too and decided not to go out to take part in the events because the crowds were big and he had a new sandwich toaster to try out! 100% true

 

Sorry, Paul. I really thought I'd replied to your question - but now find half of it completed in pale grey but not posted...

Anyways, I'm not going to be cynical - I'm not, I'm not. I actually think - especially under Obama - it's 2.

 

If it was up to Obama, I'd agree, but as we all know, the leader of a country isn't that, but a mear puppet that fronts the show, so 1 is the answer to this particular question.