Putin's man is in the White House. He has already won the big prize.
What Putin's response is demonstrating is that the diplomatic manoueverings are nothing in comparison; they are piffling stuff, kabouke theater.
He sees Obama as lacking force where it counts and this is another example of it. He measured Obama's cloth over his line in the Syrian sand. And he proved it to himself over the Crimea and Aleppo. So, he thought, why not chase the US election. At the potential cost of a slap on the wrist.
Under Obama, America is a mouse, not a superpower. Or so it seems to Uncle Vlad. This is what I was getting at when we were discussing the Crimea, way back when. One can only appear strong if you actually are willing to get your hands dirty. If you pretend you are willing to get your hands dirty but everyone knows you will always justify military inaction, then you might as well not have a military at all.
Obama is fastidious. He wants to exist in an intellectually pure zone. He won't engage the force of the US military. This is where the dominoes of his original bluff have led. Back home.
Putin probably believes he now has the USA in his pocket. Do you think he doesn't? Trump is bending the knee regardless of Putin's actions.
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