Ukraine and Grenada, Putin and Reagan?

Set on opposite sides of the world, Ukraine, with Crimea, and Grenada would seem to share few similarities. One is located in the temperate, even Arctic zone. The other is tropical. One is large, flat, and expansive. The other tiny and hilly. What these cases do share is the experience of superpower invasions for the safety of superpower citizens. Reagan invaded Grenada to save American students at its medical school (and pursued regime change too). Putin has moved to help fellow Russians in Crimea and perhaps too eastern Ukraine. Let's take them both at their word. The lesson: if you are a national leader and wish to avoid such invasions, don't allow in any citizens of superpowers.

The boiling over of Ukraine!

It should have happened long ago...a territory filled with people that have 2 different dreams. One side wants the West and the other prefers working with Russia. The solution is obvious and maybe the pol. class has stumbled upon it. Play off both sides. Indeed recent events could be read in that fashion. First scare the West into offering more concessions. Now, with the recent agreement stepping away from a Presidential system and towards a more Parliamentary one, squeeze Putin for better loan offers. Of course it is too bad that people had to die. But that certainly makes the drama, and the shifts, more compelling. I know nothing about the region, but this tantrum could be the start of a better future. At these levels, I would buy some long term Ukrainian bonds right now.