The most striking aspect of Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine is the obvious fact that the West is incapable of responding appropriately. In the USA we see morons and imbeciles in power; in Europe it's much the same only with far fewer weapons available. Putin, like Hitler in the 1930s, smelled the stench of Western decay and realized he could act with total impunity. Everyone knows now that NATO is an empty joke and the Baltic nations know they're next on Putin's shopping list - and they know NATO is utterly useless. Russia didn't have to be strong to bring down the West; it merely had to be less moronic and spineless and complacent than we are. It's also the reason Xi will order the invasion of Taiwan in 2027 knowing that ultimately China will suffer zero consequences. The West is finished and our children & grandchildren will pay the price of our mindlessness.