Vipin Narang, MIT associate professor/political science, ponders Putins use of Novichock in attack:

[Leghorn21]

Associate professor of political science at MIT, focusing on nuclear proliferation and strategy, North Korean nukes, South Asian security, and a lot in between.

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[Barn Owl]

1. The Russians like to make a statement

I remember in the early 80's a Russian diplomat was murdered in Lebanon by extremists.

The Russians not only tracked down and killed all responsible they also killed their wives, children, brothers, sisters, mother's, father's, grandparents and anyone around them at the time.

Very brutal but also very effective. After that incident nobody has touched a Russian diplomat since.

This is the mindset of the Russians and they really do not care about world opinion. When dealing with them one has to remember that they are playing by their own rules.

[Leghorn21]

2. Keyser Soze-level obliteration, eh Owl? I dont think that a lot of Americans - myself included -

really “get” the cold blooded, steely-eyed determination these mobsters are capable of demonstrating...yes, apparently, “world opinion” is the tissue they blow their snotty noses on, and that right there is a tough concept for a westerner like myself to fully grasp...damn.

I thank you so kindly for your reply, Owl -

[Barn Owl]

3. You are welcome

I do not think most Americans or Westerners in general understand what the Russian mindset is and when they do it sends a chill up their spines.

When you deal with the Russians their are no rules and if they find out that you as as an individual fucked them over you are a dead man walking!

They do not care if it is Lebanon, London or New York they will kill you And quite possible your family to make a statement to others thinking of doing what you did.

[Leghorn21]

4. Thank you again, Owl!! I have seen Rocknrolla and Eastern Promises, but thats about the

extent of my “understanding” of these killing machines - OH

You know...I do wonder if some people here in the US have been threatened with bodily harm, either towards themselves personally or their families or their pet dog...serious, menacing threats that are making them do outrageous things. I don’t mean the obvious targets like, say, a Manafort, but maybe some loud, intense, wildly irrational rank-and-file members of our US government...?

Well, perhaps we shall see about that some day...

Again, THANK YOU, Owl, and forgive my awful manners; I neglected to say, WELCOME TO DU!!