The die is cast. Putin has made his decision. He has passed the point of no return and will launch his attack, carefully planned and quickly carried out. Then, he will wait for the sanctions. Knowing that the West is divided, he will juggle his priorities and adjust his strategy to prepare for future actions. All will not happen at once. The Ukraine dilemma will be protracted with no simple solution. A test of wills and of wits, so Russia can regain its previous stature. The people remain helpless.