(02-24-2022, 09:33 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: History shows that these kind of things can be very unpredictable.  World War 1 started when Austria decided to punish Serbia for the assassination of the Austrian Archduke.  It seemed like a small thing at the time.  World War 2 started because we allowed a dictator to invade his neighbors. 

Russia might have a plan, but plans go awry.  The Ukrainians might defend themselves better than he thought they would.  Then he casts about for blame.  And he blames the United States for all those dead Russian soldiers coming home in body bags.  Or, Western sanctions might hurt the Russian economy so badly that Putin declares the sanctions an act of war. 

This thing could quickly spiral out of control.  Or, it might slowly spiral out of control.  We don't know.  One thing I do know is, this is a lot more dangerous than people think.