Russia/Putin invades when it sees weakness. They noticed Biden/Harris disastrous rout from Afghanistan against all senior military advice, leaving countless advisers, helpers, porters, translators, supporters as well as hundreds of American citizens and hundreds of billions in military hardware stranded for the Taliban.
Putin was riveted to Biden/Harris declaration of the expectation of Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. This is a date that will live in infamy as stupid or treasonous.
Biden/Harris not only said they expected the invasion by Russia, but “that there was a split among NATO members about how to respond.” Biden later promised an “economic response”.
Putin saw the economic response. Biden/Harris sent $6 billion to Iran to release five hostages, previously Obama had paid $1.5 million to release three hostages and $1.7 billion for five hostages. Russia must have figured we would pay trillions for Ukrainians.
Russia only attacks when they have arms. Their main suppliers are Iran, China and Korea. Iran has supplied most of the drones used, over 8,000, as it is becoming the most popular weapon.
Then there is oil. Russia makes little anyone wants. Oil and gas are the resources Russia has to sell. Russia gets 41 percent of its federal budget from oil and gas. Fossil fuels accounted for 43 percent of all exports in 2021.
In 2014 oil was at a high of over $100 a barrel. Russia attacked in February. The war was over in a few months as oil prices plummeted.
Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invades Ukraine again. Oil spiked to $112 a barrel in May of 2022. It’s still high.
We should let (encourage) Israel to bomb all drone and research facilities in Iran, a terrorist nation, the principle sponsor of terrorism in the world. This would stop Hezbollah, Hamas and pull this leg from the Russian war machine. No risk of Russian involvement or hitting Russia directly.
Biden/Harris say no.
We should produce all oil, gas, coal and nuclear possible. Energy is fungible. Driving down the price of oil will make it almost impossible for Putin to buy Chinese arms and Korean soldiers. It will help our allies in Europe about to enter a bad winter. To show how desperate Russia is, Putin still sells oil to all NATO countries even as they send weapons to Ukraine. Low priced energy will bring America back, as energy is a chief component of inflation.
Trump will do this. He had oil down to $19 dollars a barrel in 2020. Biden/Harris will talk about global warming and continue failed policies leading to WWIII.
Jim Folkner