Russia Painting Itself Into a Corner

Forget Ukraine, Russia. You blew it!

Amassing 150 thousand soldier on the border of the Ukraine may get Russia concessions from the West in the short term. But long term this is an absolutely idiotic strategy. In my previous story, I talked about the role the West played in stoking this conflict: Western Blame For Escalating Tensions in Ukraine.

However, while the West has not made the smartest decisions in dealing with Russia, there is nobody causing as much problems for Russia as Russia itself. If Putin did not want…