US/Russia relations nadir

Former Amb. McFaul: U.S.-Russia Relations at Lowest Point Since Cold War

Russia is in economic trouble, oil prices are slowly starving the Russian economy, and there are too few actual businesses to support the nation economically.

​More after the break.

This is in part Obama's failure to check Putin's aggressiveness, and in part Russia/Putin's impersonation of the "Incredible Shrinking Woman." Russia is quickly losing economic and political power in the world. This will almost surely trigger Putin to act out in hopes of reinvigorating his former status. Plus, Putin needs to continue to look strong to continue exercising power at home. He has an inflated persona to continue.

Obama needs to pin Putin's ears back every time he takes the bully negotiator tactic. If he fails to do so, Putin will be emboldened. Putin wins just by launching an attack, or acting contrary to Obama's desires. Russians will view this as a win, as will Putin. They will also view as a win, if Obama does nothing since Putin has cowed the weak Obama. This means overtime Obama fails to forcefully respond Putin wins twice. This will never stop especially with Russia's economy collapsing.

"Tuesday’s hearing was timely given Russia’s emerging confrontation with NATO as the alliance has increased deployments in the Baltics. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced Monday that the alliance plans to send four battalions to the Baltic states and Poland in order to deter Russian aggression in the region and protect member states.

The United States, Britain, and Germany have committed to each commanding one of the battalions, which are part of larger NATO deterrent expected to be approved at the alliance’s summit in Warsaw beginning July 8.

Russia has accused NATO of threatening its security and has begun to build up its own forces on its western frontiers."

This is a good start, but the best thing we could do with Russia is trigger an arms race, it is a significant part of how Reagan drove the USSR into collapse.

Obama has proven incapable of acting reasonably in foreign relations, he has inflamed, and exacerbated many problems, which could have been reasonably resolved. 

Expect US/Russian relations, and Europe/Russian relations to continue to deteriorate. The next President will have his/her hands full.