He's done pretty bad things before. Georgia in 2008. The endless attacks on his own citizens, institutions; poisoning dissidents and hunting them down across the globe. This is not overnight. I'm not sure why some people are giving him benefit of the doubt now for his long legacy of ruthlessness.

There is a difference between supporting an asshole or thinking that asshole being rational. I've never supported what he's done. But I did not think he will do what he did now. Ok I was wrong. Does that make you happy?

Not judging you, buddy. Just saying that his methods have always been relatively aggressive and crazy, in my opinion, even when they were on a smaller scale than this.

It seems you completely misunderstand me (or do not want to understand) so whatever.

P.S. I am not your "buddy".

Again, prior instances have shown the same type of logic from him. If he miscalculated the response, doesn't mean he's a lunatic itching to nuke anyone and everyone. However, his past behavior has always shown that he is willing to do things that would be unthinkable in this day and age from a leader of one of the relatively friendly nations and key members on the international stage. So, the risk was always there for him to invite an aggressive international response. Yet, he saw himself as invincible as the leader of one of the superpowers.

Is it irrational, or merely mean, to take something that is not yours because you know you can get away with it?

> I think he's gone mad.

Probably a psychopath, doesn't mean he is mad or crazy.