Name:   MartiniMan - Subject:   Here's my theory Date:   3/16/2022 9:08:26 AM

I think Putin overestimated his military and underestimated Ukraine and they were not alone in that mistaken belief.  Conventional wisdom, which I shared, was that Russia would take Ukraine like Germany took France.  When that didn't happen he ratcheted up the pressure on his military advisors as he suddenly realized there was only one thing worse than taking over a decimated Ukraine......losing.....again, like they did in Afghanistan.  I believe that when this started he had no intention of wreaking the havoc that is being wreaked but in his desperation not to lose he is willing to win a pyrrhic victory regardless of the long-term cost.  Amoral megalomaniacs gotta megalomaniac amorally. 

I just heard on the news that Ukraine has launched some counterattacks in Kiev which is pretty amazing.  And Russia is having to move resources from far away to replace lost troops and equipment.  Watch the markets for the inside scoop.  Given the greater than expected resistance and Russian losses, the worldwide pressure on their economy, the punishment of the oligarchs Russia may be forced to seek a face-saving out for the mess they have created.  If the wealthy investors with access to inside information see the light at the end of the tunnel they will start to buy back into the markets.  We can only hope and pray this is so.