It's probable that we have similar fears about escalation. If this ends in nuclear war, clearly it won't have been worth it. Our difference of opinion then is t

It's probable that we have similar fears about escalation. If this ends in nuclear war, clearly it won't have been worth it. Our difference of opinion then is that I consider the risks of inaction to be more grave than you do. One bad thing about GWB's wars is that the global community failed to prevent or meaningfully punish them. That precedent increases world-wide recklessness and paranoia. I worry that if the outcome of the Ukraine is not a spectacular failure for Russia, the world will continue backsliding (I bet there are Chinese generals rallying already to take Taiwan) What faith remains in the rule of law internationally is important to preserve. Eg: if the Hague had managed to imprison Cheney et al, would Russia today dare to invade neighbors? My worries there are why I am open to escalation, though, like you, I fear it could escalate up to some kind of extinction event :(