Ever since Russia’s unforeseen invasion of Ukraine and intervention in Syria, Vladimir Putin has been characterized as full of surprises. And at times he certainly is. But Putin is also quite predictable. When a neighbor cozies up to NATO, resists Russian military and energy domination, or displeases Putin in other ways, he responds with unparalleled consistency by denying that country access to the Russian economy.His most recent target is Turkey. In response to Ankara’s downing of a Russian Su-24 fighter somewhere in the vicinity of its border with Syria, Putin has used his standard toolbox to punish Turkey. In December, …read more
Source: The American Interest
