Fully agree; A leader with an imperialistic ideology is far worse and far more dangerous than an incompetent or corrupt one. Putin wants to flex his muscles and show he/Russia is the boss in that part of the world. A very medieval way of showing a country's might. His threatening statement against any country that will stand in his way also makes this clear. While for most modern or modernizing countries, the real might is economic, innovation and standard of living and happiness of its citizens; and no longer how much of another country you can destroy or annex. Russia is sadly regressing, the sad part for its citizens. The previous corrupt and incompetent leaders may now look more desirable than this ideologist, whose perceived historical wrongs eerily mirrors another mad man with a short moustache who stomped around Europe.
Though initially disappointed that the mighty US has not gone and taught the bully a lesson, I have come to like Biden's way. Sanctions should not hurt the rest of the world as much as it is intended to hurt Russia. It's clear this is sad and many will die and that this is another injustice in the world. But trying to correct this with force will only be more deaths finally and no one the winner. I guess the people of Taiwan may be jittery now. This same playbook could happen there and another injustice will be done and nothing can be done to prevent that. As long as the UN is toothless as it is now; just a place to make long speeches, this is our reality and our future. There should be strong deterrence to prevent countries from breaking the status quo. Till that comes many millions will still live in fear.
However, sanctions will surely hurt Russia in the long term. Innovations will only thrive in an open and modern world, that is free from fear to challenge and bring about constant change. Technology is mankind's real strength and those who wield the clubs and spears of war are akin to modern-day barbarians, condemned by the present and relegated to living in the past, who have no part in the future of the world or of mankind
