Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general for the International Atomic Energy Agency... said that “a large number of Russian tanks and infantry” had entered Enerhodar, a town next to the plant, and that infantry troops were “moving directly towards” the [Zaporizhzhia] reactor site.
Russians are anthropoids. A fire is now burning inside the site, the largest in Europe. There is a shit load of radioactive material in there. What's the worse case? Zelensky said "the end of Europe." Grossi said there is "severe danger." Crime against humanity.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Russian forces laid siege to urban areas across Ukraine, hitting apartment buildings, pharmacies and a hospital...War crimes.
Ukrainian troops have mounted a stiffer-than-expected opposition to a superior force in the early days of the war. But U.S. officials say it may not last.
Washington’s Newest Worry: The Dangers of Cornering Putin
Surprised by the speed at which sanctions have been poured on Russia, Biden’s top aides suspect that Putin’s reaction will be to double down and lash out — and perhaps expand the war.
Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating [the] new concern...
In Situation Room meetings in recent days, the issue has come up repeatedly, according to three officials. Mr. Putin’s tendency, American intelligence officials have told the White House and Congress, is to double down when he feels trapped by his own overreach. So they have described a series of possible reactions, ranging from indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities to compensate for the early mistakes made by his invading force, to cyberattacks directed at the American financial system, to more nuclear threats and perhaps moves to take the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The debate over Mr. Putin’s next moves is linked to an urgent re-examination by intelligence agencies of the Russian leader’s mental state, and whether his ambitions and appetite for risk have been altered by two years of Covid isolation.
...
But beyond canceling the missile test, there is no evidence that the United States is considering steps to reduce tensions, and a senior official said there was no interest in backing off sanctions.“Quite the contrary,’’ said the official
...at least for now, there is no discernible off-ramp for the Russian leader short of declaring a cease-fire or pulling back his forces — steps he has so far shown no interest in taking.
Sometimes, I half think I know what I'm talking about. But then it passes.
At a news briefing at the White House on Thursday afternoon, Jen Psaki, the press secretary, said that she knew of no efforts to show Mr. Putin a way out. ...
Jen, Bidens, think this through! What is our fucking strategic goal, GODDAMMIT? You should have had that when this thing started! POTUS was clear as day with everyone including Putin from the beginning: Cut Russia off from the global financial system. Congratulations, you did that. How long was the cut off to last? What was the exit strategy? Was there a shelf life to sanctions? "Gee, we didn't think all that through, we're surprised we even did it." IDIOTS! Come up with your strategy, then work backwards. Do it NOW! You have to provide Putin an off ramp and you can't do that without a strategic goal!
