How Venezuela Changes the Conversation

All Bets Off for Russia-US rapprochement in wake of US attack on Venezuela. Putin will find this one very hard to stomach. He already had a number of indications the Washington Swamp hawks were gaining clout. Benchmark: My take on status quo ante Venezuela

Can Trump be Smart on START Limits

Ukraine: Can Trump and Putin Untie the Gordian Knot? What is the priority of each? Can Trump be his own man in dealing w/Russia? LITMUS TEST: Is he able to say “Yes” to Putin’s Sept 22 proposal that both sides adhere to New START limits for another year?