Sanders vs. Trump: On Russia and Putin

With the recent buzzing of the American warship the USS Donald Cook, in the Baltic Sea (April, 2016) by Russian Sukhoi fighter planes, the topic of how the U.S. will deal with Russia and her aggressive leader, Vladimir Putin, is a valid topic in the 2016 Presidential election.   Since the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia (a U.S. ally), relations betweent the two nuclear-powered nations have declined.  Since then, Russia has annexed the Crimea, attacked Ukraine, been complicit in shooting down a civilian airliner, has sent Russian Air Force bombers to do fly-bys of the American coast and the territories of American allies, and has intervened in the Syian Civil War and, while engaging the Islamic State, has also attacked other, more moderate Syrian rebel forces, some of whom are supported by the U.S. and our allies.

So now we come to the recent buzzing of American Naval ships in the Baltic by the Russians.  See this video provided by the U.S. Military:

Recently, the topic of how to deal with Putin and a resurgent Russia has been addressed by both Senator Bernie Sanders and by Donald Trump.  Interestingly, the “socialist” in the race has harsh words for Putin, stating that:

“I am prepared to take on Putin, and everybody else.”-Bernie Sanders

Sanders vs. Trump on Putin and Russia

On the other side of that coin, however, Trump, who has made several comments in praise of the Russian strongman, has said of Putin: “I’d get along very well with Putin.”

Vladimir Putin has also said warm and fuzzy things about his buddy The Donald, stating that: “He is a bright and talented person without any doubt.”

Given the fact that Russia is flexing her muscles around the world, the U.S. needs a leader who is willing to stand up to the bullies of the world, and stand up to Vladimir Putin specifically.