Upon the query, “Why is Putin doing this?” In response to the imminent invasion of the Ukraine, it should be stated, because he can. Putin ex-KGB hard-line cold warrior has always pined for the glory days of a Soviet empire. Much of the area is already aligned with Russia, as Austria was partial to annexation when occupied by Germany prior to WWII. So it won’t be particularly heavy lifting militarily. The most accommodating factor in this balled-up mess of a foreign intrigue is none other than Barack Obama himself.  His gradual build-up (it was so successful in Viet Nam