Thanks for the comments on my article. The creeping totalitarianism drives me nuts and terrifies me.

I think you have it backwards on the NATO membership. Russia sardonically asked NATO if they could join, and the answer was, "Uh...we don't think so..."

I think it is simplest to accept Russia at their word for their reasons--protect the Donbas, keep NATO out.

As for the China construct, the main point is that China is a hostile country and can't be tolerated fooling around near America. Europe is not a worry, though it once was, hence the Spanish-American war and the war of 1812.

And regarding Russia's economy, it isn't just a "gas station with nukes". Humorous as that image is, they are a commodities powerhouse and provide much of the materials the world needs.

I am sympathetic to Ukraine. Who wants to be ruled by Russia, unless you are ethnic Russian? They have been led into this situation by the extreme nationalists in their own country and the war hawks in America. Their country is going to get destroyed unless negotiations somehow succeed, but nobody seems to be interested in that.