> The invasion was quite predictable. So predictable that the RAND Corp recommended virtually all of the steps that the US took in order to facilitate the invasion.

Your link appears to contradict your conclusion that the US took steps to facilitate the invasion. Specifically, key findings from the link are below, and appear to advise against facilitating the invasion (geopolitical and ideological measures) and instead focusing on economics.

> Key Findings

> Russia's weaknesses lie in the economic domains

> The most promising measures to stress Russia are in the realms of energy production and international pressure

> Geopolitical measures to bait Russia into overextending itself are likely impractical, or they risk second-order consequences

> Ideological measures to undermine the regime's stability carry significant risks of counter escalation