Natural resources often need years, if not decades, to develop. Especially gas which is as complicated as fck ;) Anyway, we heard all about resources in Afghanistan too. You might be right, I just don't buy it. Putin is too old to see any of that come on line.

Putin already has Crimea and Black Sea access. So sure, a land bridge would be nice, but I hardly see it worth going to war over. Yeah, the water issue is a big deal for Crimeans, but, hard to believe Putin cares about whether the common Crimean farmer has water or not. Again, he just wants the ports. Land bridge is rational, yes. But if it was THAT rational Russia would have invaded long ago.

I didn't want to say it in the piece, but I'll say it here. Putis is a complete IDIOT. The emporer with no clothes. Like you, won't miss him.

Thanks for the comment!