Extremely easy to convince population that state X is an evil, looming threat if state X is actually doing evil, looming, and threatening things for decades on no end.
Russia could have stopped at any moment. Can still stop at any moment. They could have single-handedly undermined Europe's trust in the States, years before the orange-in-charge did, merely by not starting an invasion. Their choice. Their FA, now they FO.
alt Hacker News
Extremely easy to convince population that state X is an evil, looming threat if state X is actually doing evil, looming, and threatening things for decades on no end.
Russia could have stopped at any moment. Can still stop at any moment. They could have single-handedly undermined Europe's trust in the States, years before the orange-in-charge did, merely by not starting an invasion. Their choice. Their FA, now they FO.