The white hat-black hat characterization of the crisis in the Ukraine and Putin’s role is simplistic and dangerous. Extending it to suggest that Russia’s actions are entirely malevolent and bad, America’s are similarly beneficent and good is a prescription for disaster and possibly World War III. Both America and Russia have done some foolish and deceptive things, as well as positive, constructive things. Time to retire the fairy tales. We are all saints and sinners in the game of international politics. Risking total annihilation of humankind seems like a rather high price to win this year’s Good Fairy Trophy. Continue reading →