Vladimir Putin Senses Western Weakness, Stokes Conflict

Vladimir Putin has always had a keen eye for opportunities. Now, as he surveys the West, it looks as if he smells blood in the water.

The American president, divisive and unpopular at home, has also proven inept and weak abroad. His administration’s lamentable policy blunders — caving on Nord Stream II (NS2), the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the failure to respond to the systematic Havana syndrome attacks on U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers — have sent signals of appeasement that have been read loud and clear in Moscow.

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Daniel Kochis

Daniel Kochis is a senior policy analyst in The Heritage Foundation’s Thatcher Center for Freedom.

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Vladimir Putin has always had a keen eye for opportunities. Now, as he surveys the West, it looks as if he smells blood in the water.

The American president, divisive and unpopular at home, has also proven inept and weak abroad. His administration’s lamentable policy blunders — caving on Nord Stream II (NS2), the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the failure to respond to the systematic Havana syndrome attacks on U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers — have sent signals of appeasement that have been read loud and clear in Moscow.