"Given Russia’s behavior, it’s natural to want to focus on hard-nosed responses. But the U.S. can condemn intimidation while recognizing that foreign policymakers need to protect U.S. interests. Deploying U.S. troops to Europe does little to change the strategic balance, but it makes war more likely and overextends America further. Creative statecraft, not military force, best protects American security and Ukraine’s future. As China rises, stabilizing relations with Moscow should be Washington’s top priority."