Originally Posted by
dead_pan
Would Vlad really try it on, one last hurrah? I'm beginning to think its all posturing.
I also have some doubts. After all he must keep it afterwards. That is easy if the majority of the inhabitants is pro- Russian. If not, it can get ugly quickly. Hello Afghanistan.
If he tries at all he will only try to occupy 'friendly' territory. He doesn't have the troops to keep 45 Million people (almost one third of his own population) in check permanently. After winning against Georgia he also refrained from pernmanently occupying.