Russian lawmakers authorize Putin to use military force outside the country

[Labster]

--Putin also announces that current sanctions are tantamount to a declaration of war

Ah, so I assume he's going to start invading Poland any day now since we're already at war, right?  Or is it just whining?

--American and the EU are playing each other's roles. The EU is piling on the sanctions, throwing ALL THE WEAPONS while America is haring intelligence, talking to people, putting a few sanctions on and shipping weapons on the quiet.

-Beware the worm that's turned.  Will Europe return to its 8 decade slumber after this?

Eight decades ago there wasn't really a "Europe" to speak of.  Now, there are still countries, but they only really vary in whether they hate Putin a little, a moderate amount, or hate Putin a whole lot.  Europe today is stronger and more unified than it was in the Roman Empire, which is to say, ever.  Fighting a war against Poland implies fighting Germany, France, Austria, Britain, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey.  I've played enough EU4 to be legitimately scared of that alliance.  Not sure why Putin isn't.

Also, from Twitter.  This view is a reminder that Russia really only controls land within shooting distance of the main roads: