Writes Stephen Mack:

Lew,

Excellent Caitlin Johnstone review of Trump’s FP picks and the implications related to Russia – Ukraine.

Add retired general Keith Kellogg to that mix and the potential for out-of-control escalation is enormous.  Especially since Trump’s default foreign policy tactic is the threat of full-throated use of military power.  Moreover, Trump’s people have adopted the standard Global Hegemon negotiating style which is to define the final outcome the U.S. wants as a pre-condition for negotiations.  In this case, in a Ukraine – Russia negotiation process mediated by the U.S., Russia would have to agree to eventually cede back all of the territories it occupies including Crimea as a pre-condition.

If Trump threatens Putin like he promises to do and Putin does not blink, the legitimacy of the Trump 2 regime could quickly collapse given an incipient war with Russia instigated by Trump’s threats.

BTW, the WaPost and the other interventionist cheerleaders for “defeating” Russia would be caught between a rock and a hard place if Trump actually does ratchet up the conflict to the edge of war with Russia.  Would they applaud a man they viscerally hate for his lunacy?