MALAYSIA AIRLINES SHOT DOWN…. NOW WHAT?

Is anyone surprised this happened?

What is expected when unprofessional, untrained people, who dress like military members, but in reality have no true commonality with truly professional soldiers, gain access to highly sophisticated weapons?

Answer…. Innocent people are killed!

It’s one thing to understand these types of weapons could have fallen into the hands of rebels in the Ukraine, but it’s entirely another when we consider what has to take place in order to employ such sophisticated systems?

Who showed them how to properly activate the system?

Who showed them how to launch the system?

Did they find members from the Ukrainian forces that defected who had a working understanding of these systems?

Could it have been troops from the Crimean forces?

Could it have been Russian, “advisers”?

These are valid speculations, but let me pose a far more important question?

Who knew?

Who knew these weapons were not only in the hands of the Rebels, but who knew these weapons were operational and “active” in the area?

These systems have signatures that can be seen electronically by many modern military units.

So, let me cut to the chase.

Did the Russians know these systems were hot?

Did they instruct the Rebels on the fact they had to be aware of commercial airlines in the area?

What actions did the Russians take to insure the Rebels didn't make a tragic mistake with these highly capable weapons?

Oh by the way……. Who else should have known these systems were “hot” in the area?

Yep…. The West.

Now, back to the Russians.

The Rebels have been far from happy in the past few weeks with Russia.

It’s obvious the Tsar has changed his tactics on dealing with the Ukraine and the Rebel movement appears to have been abandoned much like the Kurds at the end of Desert Storm….Who did that one???? We know the Answer.

If the perception is the Russians pulled their support for the Rebels, then what did they do about the weapons that might create damage that would blow back on Russia?

Did they just leave the support lines and not think through the second and third order effects of events like today?

If that confuses anyone, then add this issue to the puzzle.

Are the Rebels operating from over the border?

Are the Rebels playing a version of Cambodia with Russian help?

Are they hiding behind the Tsar’s overcoat?

If they are, then today’s event is absolutely on the Tsar’s table and he knows it.

 And now, here is the question to end the day with.

What does anyone really do about it?

Do you lash out at the Tsar?

Has that ever worked in the past?

Do you use harsh words?

Has that ever worked?

What do you do about a group of Rebels who just might have the ability to do this again and again?

I bet I know the answer.

Russian forces are taking control of high altitude weapons systems and in fact, it is probably already over.

If the West knows that, and the real threat of these high altitude strikes are over, what really needs to be done about this event?

What can the West do that doesn't make it worse?

AGM-88s.. that’s what…. If a signal pops hot, hit it and hit it hard.

That is the message that will be heard in Moscow.

How will Moscow react to such a message?

Well, that is the difficult part!.