Putin’s Dangerous Game

Putin’s Dangerous Game: The Looming Threat of Global Conflict

We are mad, not only individually, but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Epistles [1st Century A.D.]

If you’ve been looking for signs that the world is teetering on the edge of annihilation, look no further than Vladimir Putin’s latest antics. The Russian president, ever the master of geopolitical theater, has pulled out all the stops with new threats that have the faintest scent of the apocalypse about them. On Thursday, the Kremlin launched a new ballistic missile against Ukraine, followed by a chilling warning: we might just test these missiles on NATO countries, too. Yes, that’s right—Putin is now openly threatening to target the very nations supplying weapons to Ukraine, namely, the United States. Is it a warning? A desperate plea for attention? Or, just perhaps, the beginning of a much larger, far more catastrophic conflict?

Two days prior, Putin made another hair-raising announcement: Russia is now officially authorized to use nuclear weapons in response to any “conventional” strike on its territory. That’s right, conventional missiles—like the ones the U.S. has given Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian borders—could trigger a nuclear response. A quick recap: in case you hadn’t noticed, we’re talking about a world where one missile might be all it takes to launch the unthinkable—a full-scale nuclear war.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Ukraine’s former military chief, Valery Zaluzhny, stepped up to deliver the ultimate kicker: 2024 could very well mark the start of World War III. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, buckle up—because according to some of the sharpest military minds, we may be on the brink of a new and horrific global conflict.

The Kremlin's latest missile launch and its new nuclear policy are not just alarming; they are terrifying. However, some experts are quick to dismiss this as typical Putin “bluster” — nuclear saber-rattling of the sort he’s been indulging in for years. A little fire and brimstone, just to keep the West on edge. Don’t worry, they say, it’s all part of the game. But is it really? Or are we witnessing the final stages of a Russian dictator cornered, desperate to cling to any remaining shred of power and influence before the mighty storm of Donald Trump’s second term hits?

Putin's game is increasingly one of pure survival. The rhetoric coming out of Moscow is not just a display of muscle—it’s a desperate plea for the West to back off. Putin knows full well that Russia is struggling and its military forces are exhausted. He’s turning up the heat, trying to frighten the world into submission. He’s hoping that by flexing his nuclear muscles, he can force the West to halt its support of Ukraine, giving Russia free rein to finish what it started. Or is it that simple?

The question, of course, is whether these tactics will work. President Biden has been wary of getting too involved in Ukraine’s defense, until recently when he authorized the use of long-range AITACS missiles. Former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter says this is an attempt by the Deep State (instead of the brain-dead Biden) to escalate the war in order to hamper Trump from securing peace with Russia.

This is an easy call, since perpetual wars have been the modus operandi of the US government since it’s inception. I pointed this out in my latest book, The Warmongers. And, as Judge Andrew Napolitano pointed out, the Russia-Ukraine war was initiated by war criminals President Biden and then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Listen to Jeffrey Sachs explain this:

We don’t know what will happen when a new U.S. president with a history of defiance—Donald Trump—takes office? Trump has never been one to back down from a challenge, and early reports suggest he might even encourage Ukraine to strike further into Russia. So, while Putin’s current threats may have played a part in stalling more decisive Western action up until now, it’s uncertain whether they will have the same effect on the incoming administration. After all, Trump is not known for his fear of Putin’s bluster.

This week’s missile launch is an important clue. Russia has revealed a new intermediate-range ballistic missile—one that may have violated previous arms treaties and is likely still in the development stages. The missile was launched in a show of strength, with Moscow informing the United States beforehand, as per the protocols between nuclear powers. A small mercy, perhaps, that the world wasn’t plunged into chaos by a hasty miscalculation. But make no mistake: this new weapon is yet another reminder of the mounting dangers of unchecked Russian aggression.

Let’s not forget the stakes here: Putin’s threats, while seemingly toothless to some, are very real and very dangerous. Launching a missile against a NATO member would trigger a full-blown war with the United States and its allies, who would undoubtedly retaliate with devastating force. Putin knows this, which is why it is unlikely—though not impossible—that he would take such a drastic step. But then again, he has shown a frightening willingness to go to extremes when cornered. Experts have warned that the risk of nuclear war is now greater than it has been in decades.

In the coming weeks, the world may learn more about Russia’s new missile capabilities, which could shed light on just how desperate Putin truly is. But one thing is clear: Putin’s increasingly erratic behavior is not a sign of confidence; it is a sign of weakness. The Russian bear, wounded and angry, may lash out in unpredictable ways, and the consequences of such an action could be catastrophic.

So, as we all wait for Trump to take the reins in Washington, it’s important to understand the high stakes we face. Putin is playing a dangerous game, and with each missile launch and each nuclear threat, he inches closer to the unthinkable. Will the West hold firm in the face of these threats? Or will Putin’s reckless gambit drag us all into the abyss of war? Only time will tell.

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Author bio: In case you haven't heard of me, I am a writer, publisher, documentary producer, libertarian, and a former prisoner of the War on Liberty. I am antiwar, anti-corporate, anti-fascist, anti-communist, anti-federalist, and an advocate for the absolute right to keep and bear arms. My background includes psychology, marketing, copywriting, and constitutional law. At one time I held power of attorney over the CIA's secret bank accounts containing over a trillion dollars in laundered drug money. I write books and articles on war, propaganda, the injustice system, government surveillance, fiction, self-help, and business. Check out our catalog.

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