Why did Russian military jets buzz a US destroyer in the Black Sea ... ?

Putin knows Trump isn't going to do anything about it.

Although the only thing that decreases my desire to piss on Trump is the possibility that he might enjoy it.

right now the big story is how the Russians (may have) compromised our national government at the highest levels

Trump is going to need to do something about this to save his presidency, and idiot or not he does represent a significant asset involving significant resource investment for Putin.

if i were Putin i'd do a few ... errr... "uncomfortable" things that i don't mind walking back to help Trump look stronger

after strenuous "netotiations" Putin can
apologize for the flyby
withdraw the spy ship
cancel some future cruise missile tests
no big loss, maybe even saves some $$$
and Trump can claim that YUGE diplomatic victory over Russia he needs to help rescue his hopelessly degenerate presidency

that's how i see it playing out

However, I think doing it just to embarrass the US and show that we have a weak president who is all talk and no action is also just as likely.

from what i've seen so far, Vlad plays the long game and he's damn good at it
solidifying a puppet government in what used to be one of his country's major international rivals would be a worthy use of his time

i just don't imagine a scenario where Putin intentionally weakens his greatest asset for the sake of ego
maybe if doing so gave him an edge in an upcoming election or political struggle, but from what i gather he's got his domestic political situation under control (and under a jackboot, too).

it's the missile that is the true concern...

The missiles are the issue.

Russia has been spying on us since, well, ages. Probably industrial revolution era, at least.

I think at some point, Putin is just going to destroy Donald and not even care about the US response.

destroy him in a way that causes maximum damage and disruption to the U.S. government. The games with buzzing U.S. Navy, deploying spy ships, and violating arms treaties may be designed to stir the pot within the U.S. government. Perhaps even to smoke out anti-Russian hard-liners within the ranks of the defense and IC establishment so they can be marginalized or eliminated.

Why not create a nice Piss Pussy Riot?

Comrade Donald is useless to everyone: GOP, Russians, Oil interests, etc.

He's so fucking insane and ignorant, even Putin has no use for him.

Might as well blow things up after the one or two things he needs are done.

But Vlad is getting impatient.

they turned the "sole remaining superpower" into just another puppet state.

they are advertising to the world that they can do whatever they want, and everyone best answer to them, and ignore the u.s.


donnie's mere presence in the white house is costing america bigly.

What'll it take to get a response out of the WH? Does Putin have to go on TV saying clearly his hands are much, much bigger than Trump's, or laugh at Trumps tiny, pathetic little crowds?

Trump Says He'll Attack Iran Over Rude Gestures - New York Magazine
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/09/trump-says-hell-attack-iran-over-rude-gestures.html

I'm pretty sure Putin is planning a state mandated mooning of the US next.