Putin, not so rational after-all.

Putin, not so rational after-all.

   I've read sparsely little about disturbing irrationality of Vladimire Putin in the heat of the crimean crisis. Why in the world would he jeopardize sanctions on his fast growing economy and increased international isolation and condemnation for a move that can only guarantee Ukrainian permanent integration into the EU, and the loss of a vital market and manufacturing base? Encouraging Crimea to remain a part of Ukraine but negotiating for continued autonomy and the permanence of naval basis would be the rationally self-interested and realizable position for Russia. If the Russians of Crimea are removed from the voting electorate of Ukraine, the pro-western elements of Ukraine will win every forseable future election, something that would not be guaranteed with the votes of substantial Russian speaking populations of Crimea necessarily contended for. How can Vladimir Putin contend to continue to keep his iron grasp on the Russian state without the support of his oligarchs? Clearly the oligarchs are white in the face, scared and aware of the easy devastation of economic harm that that can be levied directly at the oligarchs personal accounts should Russia claim crimea its own. Surely the Duma must be flooded with urgent calls not to allow for Crimean integration, the real costs of being denied western finance and the freezing of funds must be shivering the spines of the well off as the chest bearing enthusiasm of last week's Russian nationalism subsides.

    Understand, Putin is the remaining vanguard of old Russia, the former head of the KGB whose university thesis details the importance of building Russian corporations capable of challenging American corporations. Behind the scenes, as Boris was declaring a free russia from on top a tank in Moscow, the old KGB and Russian Mobsters were positioning to benefit from the fire-sale of state assets, selling Aks and Oozies to the Comorrah crime families of Naples and who knows what else, for even MIG fighter jets have been intercepted at ports of entry, taken apart for reassembly like ikea furniture amongst the traditional fair of legitimate imports. Strongmen aligning themselves with Putin have been providing the intel and muscle to secure and defend various robust clanking, sluggish Russian monopolies. The opposition either left to run NBA teams or faced politically motivated arrests and persecution.

     If it were not for the oligarchy, Putin would not have Russia. He cannot hope to rule by thuggery alone and its hard to imagine how he can maintain the base of support necessary to rule if he continues his current course. His old world KGB thinking has already cost billions of losses in serious market sell offs and sanctions would quickly cool any future aspirations at peeling away old Soviet territories with large ethnic-Russian or Russian speaking populations. Out of respect for the right at self-determination of the Crimean people and understanding for Putin's need to hold a warm water port, I ask whether or not the highly illegal incorporation of Crimea into the Russian Federation is worth it, or whether the cooler compromise of Crimean Autonomy and the protection of a permanent naval presence is not an adequate bite to satisfy America's best enemy? Think wisely, Vlad, for Trotsky is calling from his grave to have you swept into the dust bin of history with Tsar Nicholas. It would be a shame to see our Eastern foe realize the tragic end of every morality play, for hubris is the common culprit of every downfall. Dear Putin, its not too late, Lidia has left, but Alina still waits, Russia can still be yours, but the timeline for the return of your sailors to their barracks and quarters has begun. These are the truths Putin, I am merely an articulate observer. I wish the federation and its people the best. I praise you for a successful olympic games and hope for a normalization of relations and continuance of collaboration on a multitude of other issues upon the resolution of this little rue.  Have a hand pour you a stolichnaya with ice.  Adieu.