V.B.Bart, the Obama play would make things even more interesting. If he was successful in getting the Russians to play nice and go home, it would cement his role as the messiah. But what if he weren’t? I doubt either the Republicans or the Democrats are confident enough to put any such proposal to the test. But I’ve been wrong before and no doubt will be again.

On the other hand, Sarkozy has already deeply invested himself in this crisis. He’s come back with a piece of paper which now both sides have signed. Peace in our time, right? We shall see soon enough. But unlike some who have already labeled Sark a modern day Chamberlain, I’m not so sure. He seems not one to take kindly to being doublecrossed or lied to. And even Chamberlain, though he still probably wouldn’t have acted, saw the light after the fact.