Rob73,

Putin is far from a “wack-job.” He is a rational dictator who is doing the best that he can with a weak hand. In fine Russian tradtion, that means using blunt force and brutality.
Putin is an evil man because he is doing absolutely nothing to solve Russia’s deep structural problems. Russia’s democratic institutions are stillborn. Her economy is on a petroleum fueled “sugar high” that will evaporate if oil prices drop. (One of the things to watch in the current crisis is the Moscow stock exchange – it dropped 6.5% on Friday … )
Putin sees no way for him to distinguish himself as a statesman on the world stage, so he has taken the easy road – obstructing the US at each step.
Latin American banana republics are indeed problematic, they are breeding grounds for revolution and narcoterrorism.