Now Putin is worried

I don't know why the US is constantly butting in where it doesn't belong, trying to dictate to everyone in the world. From wht I understand, the people in Crimea wanted to be under Russian rule and now it's spreading to other parts of Ukraine. If people vote and want to be reunited with Russia, that would be doing it the Democratic way, which the US is always extolling.
We want to restore(or introduce) democraxcy to _________(insert nation here) and will make sure it happens if that's what the people want.

What's happening over there is more or less a civil conflict/war, it's none of our business.

Holy cow, jatki, I am actually going to +1 your post.

Apparently, Boilerman and Hoops did not learn the lessons from Iraq regarding natives and their views towards a meddling foreign power in their land. They also haven't learned that foreign interventions cost big money. They both spent 8 years cheering the unpaid multi trillion dollar campaign in Iraq...and they're both itching for us to rinse and repeat. And if you look at other threads on this page you will note how they complain about Federal deficits.

Im glad Like minded people did not have enough votes to elect Senator " blank check" McCain to the White house. Just think where we would be today.

Hoops the problem with your options is that they would damage us more than they would damage them.

Russia is a rising power again, and the best option is to try and be on friendly terms with them. I suggest you might find we have more influence that way rather than trying to play bully when we don’t have the means to back it up.

Back when the old Soviet Union fell, The nation states of places the the Baltic states and the Ukraine seperated from "mother Russia". These 2 places are important as both housed the bulk of the former Soviet Navy. Putin basically took over Crimea and will likely turn his eye north towards the Baltic States. It may not happen today, but it is in the future.

Wheather or not it's our position to get involved is a touchie matter as the Ukraine is not a member of NATO but the Baltic States ARE. There in lies a huge problem, under the alliance if one nation gets attacked, all of them will protect the one who is being attacked. So if Putin gets his Vlad up and wants to take over the Baltic States, then Obama will have to figure out how to support/ weasel out of the NATO alliance. (likely the weasel will be used)

Obama had many things open to him to put pressure on Putin. However Putin knowing Obama won't act by himself, Putin will run all over him.

Now do we have a role to play in all of these places? Yep, if one likes not to be turned into atoms in the near future. How do you do that? By fostering relationships with other leaders and being available when they are being threatned by other countries. History has shown if given the choice, people will choose Democracy. Do we promote this and should we? Hell yes!

I will direct you all back to the long ago age just before WWII. The history books sited that we just stayed out of the petty wars other countries were fighting. Later on, one of thos wars, came to bite us in the rear. (WWII) Its a line where one must decide to either let things go and pay a heavy price later on or pay a small price now.

Poor old DonDiego already comprises atoms. He'd like to remain in that condition.

Hoops the problem with your options is that they would damage us more than they would damage them.

Russia is a rising power again, and the best option is to try and be on friendly terms with them. I suggest you might find we have more influence that way rather than trying to play bully when we don’t have the means to back it up.

The major source of income for Russia comes oil/natural gas exports; wihout them their economy would be severely crippled. Increasing the export of natural gas helps the US economy. Cutting off the financial spigot hurts both sides, but the Russian economy is weak.

The Russian mentaility is that they perceive "friendship" as weakness; so playing nice as we have for the last 5 years has not worked

I believe there is only 1 or 2 companies right now that have the ability to transport Natural Gas via ship from the US to anywhere. And the capacity is nowhere near the amount that would be required to sustain the demand for all of continental Europe. And its not the US's call where Germany gets its gas from....unless Hoops wants us to invade Germany again.

I'm guessing Angela Merkel is more worried about looking "cold" instead of "weak".

Not being thoughtful is a luxury afforded to people without responsibility.

can't we all just get along?