There seems to be a common "disease" going around among despotic autocratic leaders:

The leader of Russia believes that Ukraine is an integral part of "greater Russia" and blames Ukraine for allowing Russia's enemies to threaten its borders and consider the lack of occupying it an existential threat to its borders. . The solution is for this is to take Ukraine, if not politically, then by force - despite the Ukrainians living there not favoring the idea.

The leader of Israel believes that the West Bank is an integral part of the country and consider the lack of occupying it an existential threat to its borders. The solution is for this is to take the West Bank, if not politically, then by force - despite the Palestinians living there not favoring the idea.

The leader of China believes that Taiwan is an integral part of their country and consider the lack of occupying it an existential threat to its borders. The solution is for this is to take Taiwan, if not politically, then by force - despite the Taiwanese living there not favoring the idea.

The leader of US believes that Greenland is of vital importance to their country and consider the lack of occupying it an existential threat to its borders. The solution is for this is to take Greenland, if not politically, then by force - despite the Greenlanders living there not favoring the idea.

There seems to be a willingness of the US to allow both Russia and Israel to have their way in consideration of economically profitable concessions to the US (or its leadership's cadre of relatives and advisors). Idle minds wonder if the US desire for expansion of its sphere of influence will be supported as a quid pro quo.

The Russian and Israeli leaders share a common plight - both have arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court and share the US president's disdain for international organizations.

The US relationship with China is a bit different because of our economy's dependence on semiconductors manufactured in Taiwan. Having these fall into China's hands would give them the ability to back the US into a corner. On the other hand, Russia would not be significantly impacted and might support China's expansion into Taiwan in exchange for support of its own efforts to take Ukraine. While for different reasons, that aligns both China and the US with Russia in its quest for a victory to be declared on its behalf in Ukraine.

Jeff