In his June 5, 2024 class Jiang Xueqin explains Putin's strategic genius: In February 2022 Putin invaded Ukraine. At first, the war did not go well, and the United States had a three-point plan to defeat Putin: 1.) Equip Ukraine to defeat the Russian army. 2.) Sanction Russia, and cause it to economically implode. 3.) Isolate Russia, and turn it into a pariah state. Today, we recognize that this strategy has failed, and Putin is triumphant: 1.) The Russian army is dominant in Ukraine. 2.) The Russian economy is stronger than ever. 3.) Putin enjoys more international influence than ever. Putin's ultimate strategic aim is to destroy the American empire. He will succeed if: 1.) America continues to over-extend itself militarily. 2.) America remains addicted to debt. 3.) America becomes increasingly politically polarized.