you were the attache to the russian federation. i would love to figure out, is this an example of putin the provocateur, or putin the determined? which is it, do you think? >> i think it -- this is turning increasingly into a game of poker. he will not back down. you think that -- and is doubling down. and that is part of the enhanced, if you will, forced array in belarus and out in the black sea. i think that there's an aspect that they've now moved to brinksmanship, laura, of the type that is coercive, cold blooded, and so 1930s-ish. and it could spin into a conflict frankly nobody wants. but now you get pride and hubris and ego that takes over rational thinking and even rational advice.