Contributors to the Corner have urged caution and a hands-off approach in assessing the mutiny in Russia. The U.S. State Department is taking a similar view, sending a message to its overseas missions to convey to host governments: “The United States has no intention of involving itself in this matter.”

Why so timid? The administration wants Putin to remain in power, in order to prevent an upheaval in Russia. Bizarre. How can Putin’s successor be worse for global stability than is Putin? Common sense says to send out confusing signals, to mess with Putin’s mind, to confuse his troops and supporters. Instead, by silence, the U.S. supports Putin. Bizarre.