Very thoughtful piece. it helps me understand things (I think!) So what kind of face saving moves could the USA provide?

btw, I am generally a dove when it comes to US adventurism, but the widespread citizen support in Russia has convinced me, that the US should be building long term containment strategy against Russia. Make the control of Belarus and Crimea a long standing thorn and align the world against Russia.

It is not ideal since India, China and Iran will use this to their advantage. But I see no other way. NATO was unnecessarily antagonist... that should stop. (e.g. have formal agreements that weapons will not be place INTO Ukraine in return for allowing freedom to other nations.

Still I don't think this would really have stopped Russian aims for empire. My read is that one must remove their ABILITY to aim for empire. Do you agree?