Jeffrey Sonnenfeld: Putin is the grand puppeteer behind these conflicts

Summary

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld argues Putin is a grand puppeteer exploiting interconnected Middle East and Ukraine conflicts to benefit Russia, largely through higher oil prices and diversion of military resources. He sees the Lindsey Graham Act sanctions package as encouraging but warns that France and Germany face risks due to their Russian energy and metals investments. The discussion underscores the need for a common approach to linked battlefields and tougher enforcement of sanctions.

• Putin manipulates multiple conflicts to raise Russian oil revenues and divert diplomatic and military attention.
• Urals oil price surged from ~$40 to the $70s, boosting Russia's budget significantly.
• Russia helps Iran with free fighter jets, spy satellite launches, and targeting of US forces.
• The Lindsey Graham Act passed the Senate 88-12, signaling strong support for new sanctions.
• France has $26 billion in Russian LNG investments and faces hitting secondary sanctions.
• Germany is buying Russian metals that the US has sanctioned, creating a potential rift between allies.
• Defense resources, including artillery shells, are being diverted from Ukraine to the Middle East.
• Sonnenfeld calls for recognizing Putin's role as a common factor linking the battlefields.