Russian ambassador threatens Denmark with nuclear weapons.

[Loki]

I'll probably get flack for putting this out but it strikes me as a self defeating enterprise for people to disparage Russian culture in combo with the political problems. Sure, the Crimea situation could have been handled differently, but Russia is the only counter weight to "Western" political hegemony in the world stage. Look at the UN and the founding country veto powers - From its very outset the UN basically assures against mutual dialogue and riles up the desire for nepotism between the systematically 'weakened' non-founding countries.

There's a lot more to this than just 'Russia bad evil Putin Soviet poster boy' cultural meme we keep seeing in the West. Bigtime shame the common man isn't seeing the complexity here. The West is as much culpable in escalating.

I think the Crimean reunification with Russia was handled perfectly. A great feat and victory for Putin.

[OnceLord]

I think the Crimean reunification with Russia was handled perfectly. A great feat and victory for Putin.

imho more tact would have smoothened things out as far as the political blowback goes, but that simply isn't the Russian way, so from a Russian pov it was the only 'true' way of fulfilling their aim... I see where you're coming from-- Crimea should not have left Russia in the first place imo. A lot of territorial mistakes were made following WW1 and 2. The Near-East is admittedly what it is in part because of our misguided pencil exercises.

[Methmatician]

It's a normal military routine. Nothing exceptional here.

There difference here is that Putin is sending in jets during a time where both sides are very stressed. It's not 'routine' to do it now. The Russians have also been pretty careless, at one point they almost hit a commercial plane carrying passengers.

[Incal]

then you must concede it's OK for the US to do the same, including allowing other countries to join NATO and be on its team.

You see, that's the one thing the US is simply better at than you - making friends. The US had NATO and Russia had the USSR but the US didn't try to demographically destroy the local populations by transplanting so many Russians that they became the majority in Kazakhstan, Tatarstan, Circassia, and a dozen other places, and seriously large minorities in Estonia, Latvia, etc. Of course the USSR collapsed - you created so much resentment in your client states, whereas the US follows/ed a more libertarian model of letting people do what the fuck they want (hypocritically, sometimes) as long as they're on their side - from Saudi Arabia to Israel to France to Canada. The US knows how to keep friends. Russia doesn't. And that's how you lost the Cold War.

This. Even to these days russkies don't know how to make friends. Also, they are more obsessed on becoming a worldwide empire than creating a sustainable country that can afford a better live to all its citizens.

[Smaland]

Commander of Strategic Air Command (1948-1957)

Quotes from the Wiki article about LeMay.

Robert McNamara (U.S. Secretary of Defense in the 1960's) described LeMay's character, in a discussion of a report into high abort rates in bomber missions during World War II:

One of the commanders was Curtis LeMay—Colonel in command of a B-24 [sic] group. He was the finest combat commander of any service I came across in war. But he was extraordinarily belligerent, many thought brutal. He got the report. He issued an order. He said, 'I will be in the lead plane on every mission. Any plane that takes off will go over the target, or the crew will be court-martialed.' The abort rate dropped overnight. Now that's the kind of commander he was.

When his crews were not flying missions, they were subjected to relentless training, as he believed that training was the key to saving their lives. Throughout his career, LeMay was widely and fondly known among his troops as "Old Iron Pants," and the "Big Cigar".

General LeMay was instrumental in SAC (Strategic Air Command)'s acquisition of a large fleet of new strategic bombers, establishment of a vast aerial refueling system, the formation of many new units and bases, development of a strategic ballistic missile force, and establishment of a strict command and control system with an unprecedented readiness capability. All of this was protected by a greatly enhanced and modernized security force, the Strategic Air Command Elite Guard.

[Sarmatian]

This. Even to these days russkies don't know how to make friends. Also, they are more obsessed on becoming a worldwide empire than creating a sustainable country that can afford a better live to all its citizens.

Where did you get this rubbish idea from? Do you even know any Russians personally? How many of these Russians fit the description you gave here?

Ever heard of 'La Leyenda Negra'? Happened to Spain a few centuries ago, same happening to Russia now.

[Incal]

Where did you get this rubbish idea from? Do you even know any Russians personally? How many of these Russians fit the description you gave here?

Ever heard of 'La Leyenda Negra'? Happened to Spain a few centuries ago, same happening to Russia now.

Individuals don't matter, it's the position of the government that matters.