The First Shot of Cold War 2.0?

[Tarrel]

It now looks like it could have been a sniper, according to BBC and Russia Today.

In terms of the bigger picture, I think we have to recognise we are dealing with an increasingly desperate USA which is seeing its global hegemony slip away and knows it is wallowing in economic quicksand. I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility for them to make some kind of "sh*t or bust", "put it all on 32 red" move and escalate this to a point where all bets are off. Hope not though.

As far as Russia is concerned, I suppose what happens next depends on Putin's strategy; is he happy to have secured Crimea, thus protecting the naval base and gaining access to the Black Sea potential oil and gas reserves, or does he have greater ambitions?

Either way, I think a Pandora's Box has been opened in Eastern Europe, with a lot of people starting to rattle their cages. The Russia-leaning area of TransNistria in Moldova is reported to have approached Russia to "do a Crimea" just today. I think we are going to see some more border and territory changes in the region, whether these are influenced by Russia, the US/EU, or the people themselves.

Interesting times!