Yes, Leave Ukraine Alone!

I'm with Ron Paul on this one, for sure: Leave Ukraine alone.

Barack Obama may be desperate to make something — anything — of eight years in the White House, but starting a war with Russia in Eastern Europe probably isn't the best way to wrap up his presidency.

Though with mid-term elections coming, it might give Democratic voters something to get excited about in November. Wars typically help the party in power. Maybe President Obama sees a way to rescue what is shaping up to be a very disappointing second term. I'd like to believe he isn't that cynical, or evil.

This wouldn't be like war with Iraq. Russia is still a powerful country, and a modern conventional war would bring unimaginable death, destruction, and economic hardship. In the last hundred years, two world wars have started in Europe. Do we really want another one? No — especially when lots of foreigners don't like or trust the US government, and lots of Ukrainians actually support Russia's actions.

The situation in Ukraine right now is for Ukrainians and Russians to sort out. This isn't our problem, and taking a belligerent stance could backfire by inflaming anti-American sentiment in Russia, the Crimea, and eastern Ukraine. 

Anti-Russia elements in Ukraine will also have more incentive to take a harder line if they think the US will back them up, making peaceful compromise less likely. We should hope that even Barack Obama isn't foolish or arrogant enough to strike a match near this powder keg.

President Putin has been clear that this matter is of vital importance to Russia's interests, and he already has strong support from his government. That whole hegemony thing is pretty despicable, regardless of who's doing it — but no more so for being Russia's at the moment.

Americans were quite vocal in opposing military intervention in Syria. Let's sit this one out too.

UPDATE:

"Ukraine: One Regime Change Too Many?"