Warning - Long. In a world of click-hungry rage bait, this is maybe the best, most concise analysis of the root causes of Putin's rise, his choice for war, how we got here, why Russia keeps smashing it's head against the rock of Ukraine long past the limits of logic and how this ultiamtely plays out. This is an entertaining, and thorough insider's analysis.

Without any spoilers - anyone who thinks you can negotiate a lasting end to this war with Putin in place is profoundly not grasping the situation. You can't negotiate with this mafia state - you can ONLY defeat it.