The article advocates for a strategy of applying continuous pressure on Vladimir Putin and Russia, utilizing various methods to destabilize the Kremlin and constrain their aggressive actions. This approach aims to exploit Russia's internal vulnerabilities and external dependencies, making it too costly to continue its current course.
The author points to various areas of weakness within Russia: economic vulnerabilities (high inflation, sanctions), military supply chain deficiencies, declining public approval, internal ethnic tensions, and decreasing Chinese support. The strategy emphasizes the simultaneous application of pressure across these domains.
By combining these approaches, the goal is to create an environment where Russia feels it risks losing control, akin to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The strategy stresses the importance of a quick succession of targeted actions rather than a gradual approach. This prevents Russia from adapting to and neutralizing each individual pressure point. The rate and intensity of these actions are crucial for their effectiveness.
The article acknowledges potential risks, such as the possibility of escalation and unexpected consequences. It also acknowledges that the U.S. is not currently employing such a robust strategy and points out potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. that Putin might exploit.
The article concludes that a concerted, intense, and multi-pronged approach is necessary to counter Putin's aggressive foreign policy, rather than the slow and cautious approach currently being employed. The article further emphasizes that while America is vulnerable, a multi-national effort to apply coordinated pressure may be effective.