Doug’s observation on why Old Europe is hanging back against Russian aggression was the subject of a piece I did on AmericanThinker.com last week. Sorry for touting it again on wretchard’s comment section but the subject and content remain pertinent.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/08/sticking_it_to_gazprom.html

The Ukraine may well be lost. I was shocked when it split off from Russia in the dissolution of the USSR. However, I don’t see how reuniting it and Russia will make a new Colossus of the East. Bigger and better, yes, but a long way from a world beater.

Anyone want to bet on date of the detonation of Poland’s first nuke?