Rod Kaufman said:
It's evident the Russians are ultimately responsible for the shootdown:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/18/world/europe/ukraine-malaysia-airlines-crash/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
The question is what to do about it.
First, the recriminations: It was absolutely inexcusable to think a civilian airliner flying at 30,000 plus feet would somehow be out of range from anti-aircraft defenses. Russia shot down two U2 spy planes, one during the Eisenhower administration and another during the Kennedy administration, with older technology even against higher flying planes taking evasive action. One such shoot down is recreated here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL98MLL15n0
After the Powers incident, airforce tactics versus Russian antiaircraft defense reportedly changed to low level bombing strategies.
At least civilian overflights are now banned over the Ukraine. The latter would be the most important course of action.
Second, I agree with Republican congressmen calling for the banning of Aeroflot planes in US airspace for a time duration to be determined.
Third, restrictions on Russian travel, particularly vacation visas to pregnant Russian women who frequently fly to America to give birth to a US citizen. The Chinese do this frequently as well.
Fourth, an international call for increasing sanctions against Russia, in time and severity.
Fifth, a covert course of action aimed at Russian communications, jamming weapon systems and the like.
Sixth, resist the temptation to arm the Ukraine further. Parts of the Ukraine, likely the western portion, contain ex-Nazis and neo-Nazis. In other words, you're basically looking down at the fourth Reich. It's no wonder they hate the Russians and the Russians hate them.
Seventh, a demand for reparations from the Russian government for the families of this tragedy.
Eight, a demand for a personal apology from Vladimir Putin.
Ninth, increased US submarine surveillance and activity around Russian naval bases.
Tenth, a military buildup of offensive weapons around Poland.
If we believe our governments version of events, which should be vigorously questioned given the lack of hard data presented to the public, then we should simply promise to make up the natural gas (and other natural resources) shortfall to the European nations who have the most to lose in heavily sanctioning Russia. Unfortunately we are kind of backed into a corner here since our foreign policy has been such a fail for the last six years. We either have heavy sanctions, or war, either directly or through proxy.
