Logically if someone wants insight into Russian strategy, it would be to look where they have been at war for the last 7 years, Syria. Where they have shown a fair amount of tactical restraint. Turkey still has Idlib, the Americans are still in the East and Israel bombs whatever Iranians and Hesbollah it can find. It seems that if the Russians were as gung ho as most in the West think, they would have at least kicked Turkey out of Idlib. Yet Idlib is full of refugees and Islamic terrorists. For Turkey, with its secular/Islamic split and precarious financial situation, it's like a leaky bag of botulism.

Similarly, why would Russia want to deal with a bunch of Ukrainians? Wouldn't it be more effective to settle into the eastern regions and let Europe deal with one more basket case. One thing not mentioned is when will Russia cut off the gas going to and through Ukraine. Does Europe send them some of their own dwindling supplies?

As I see it, Russia had their reality check, with the fall of the Soviet Union and the West is mostly pointing fingers to distract attention from our own issues.

Like the fact that debt doesn't matter, until it does.

I'll bet that by the spring, this will be back page and media hysteria will be all about the midterm elections.