The issue with sanctions is that if they are too weak, they do nothing. If hey are too strict, they could be a catalyst for full scale war.

A VERY simplified history lesson. Before WW2, Japan wanted to keep the US out of the war in the Pacific. It wasnt until we fully cut them off from steel shipments that they saw us as taking sides and as a possible aggressor. At that point, they decided to act first. We all know what happened after that.


In the case of Russia, too strict of sanctions could easily give Putin the leverage he needs to move west, all the way to Poland, or Germany if he wants to. I dont think NATO could do anything more than give him a bloody nose at this point either.

Side note: If the US gets too involved in a war n a buildup in Europe, Taiwan will likely come under attack from China. S. Korea will likely be attacked by the North. You can expect Al Queda to step up attacks all over the middle East. Iran will likely put their strength into an attack on Israel.


Those of you that hate US involvement overseas, this is just a small idea of how many regions stay pretty much peaceful only because of a US presence. Like it or hate it, the US is a stabilizing force wherever it goes, even in areas it is waging war.