West risks war with Russia over escalating military aid | Irish Times - Jan. 17, 2023 |

Putin's restraint in the face of massive western military aid to Ukraine has been remarkable but his forbearance may not be boundless

From day one of the war in Ukraine, the most powerful argument against unrestrained western intervention in the conflict has been the danger of catastrophic escalation into an all-out war between Nato and Russia.

So far, western governments have shied away from a truly existential confrontation with Russia. But the threat remains that continuing western military aid to Ukraine will provoke Russian countermeasures that could turn Moscow's proxy war with Nato into a direct military conflict.

Western hawks have long argued the danger of escalation is illusory. In an op-ed for The New York Times, former British diplomat Nigel Gould-Davies claimed "Putin has no red lines" and that, far from being deterred by fear of escalation, the West should call Putin's bluff and threaten Russia with nuclear retaliation if he overreacts to western support for Ukraine.

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Gould-Davies provides no hard evidence for his insights into Putin's mind. His argument is pure speculation, and prompts the question: what if Putin won't back away from a major war with the West? Should NATO be taking even a small risk of igniting a larger conflict that could kill millions?

CNN Interview by Smerconish: "Putin has no red lines": Ex-ambassador explains Putin's mindset

Both men will not back down, for Joe it has all the hallmarks of being personal contrary to the defeat in the 20 year war in Afghanistan or the failure in a quagmire created in Syria through intervention by Russia. For the Russian Federation the encroachment by NATO after the end of the Cold War is perceived as an existential threat similar to the response of the Kennedy administration and the positioning of Russian ballistic missiles on Cuba in 1962.

The Doomsday Clock is ticking seconds away.

'Sapere aude'