The Western Leaders AND Putin would both have to make some rather foolish mistakes for things to escalate to the point of any hostilities outside of Ukraine. The economic interdependence of Russia and the West is simply too strong at this point.
Disagree. China and the satellites suffice for Russia to develop full tilt. They can erect another iron curtain, no problem. They really don't even have the bandwidth to spare for European economic engagement: The population is low, aging, and falling in Russia. (Although I recognize it is a low probability event by any conventional estimator, reality is itself a low probability event, and I think Putin will launch a surprise attack of some sort on the U.S. during his tenure as head of state, de jure or de facto. I just don't think he yet knows why. The actual game plan which drives the event is just a self-interested rationalization of a deeper necessity.)
Bitcoin is likely to retest $340 support
I tend to agree. There's going to be another bottom. We just don't know where, just yet. Between 340 and 400 around May 21st is my best estimate for the last of the bottoms before the hype ramp begins again. Any lower would almost certainly mean a protracted malaise, a delayed hype cycle, and a ca. 60-100x superbubble on the next cycle, in 2015.
