Ukrainian separatists shot down a Ukrainian transport plane, killing 49 people. The rebels apparently used anti-aircraft weaponry, marking an escalation in their capabilities. In addition, there are reports that Russia is sending in tanks and other heavy weapons to aid the separatists. If true, Ukrainian forces will be at a severe disadvantage is restoring order to all parts of their country. Western powers will likely examine the evidence, and, if the reports are accurate, will likely increase the sanctions on Russia. There is still no possibility of a Western military response to Russian moves.
Professor Stephen Walt of Harvard University is one of the US’s pre-eminent realists. His critique of American policy in Iraq is pointed and damning. Walt firmly believes that the US has made serious mistakes by intervening in the internal affairs of other states when national interests are not at stake. We should keep Walt’s analysis in mind as President Obama orders US naval vessels into the Persian Gulf, perhaps preparing for air strikes to help out the Iraqi government to defeat the ISIS forces.
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