Send them a message that they are free to do what they want.

What fucking business do we have?

I want to first investigate what happened

There is a reason why the State Department exists

Then i want to resolve it diplomaticaly

I would only send the ships to basically order both sides to stand down.

Obviously

We are not the damn world police, contrary to popular opinion.

military action straight out of the gates WILL create more hostility

Merkcast usa army are not gods

This conflict already threatens to pull us in.

Lel

Send ships to order around two nations?

Pull us in HOW?

we are not able to force either side to stand down just because we have one ship there

maybe a whole fleet, but that is way too much

especially considering China's advancements

Nobody is going to mess with Russia.

Usa didnt responded when Russians took the crimea

A war with Russia might send nukes flying.

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/dlamini-malema-ban-media-from-covering-their-events-20181125

You will fo fuckall now

Banning media

I mean a serious war, not one of those pretend stand offs.

There will be no war with China or Russia.

Everything will do to them will be sanctions, sanctions.

Also, possibly sanctions.

Yes

Exactly

But, we might also get some harsh Trump tweets.

Trump might use this to berate europe instead

That's all that's going to happen and Putin knows it.

That will be it imo

Agreed.

But ...

There is a slight chance for escalation.

But that chance is for internal conflict.

it is possible to screw with a country without it being known

Politicians will keep playing the same game, but populations can be less predictable at times.

Yes, most maneuvering nowadays is covert.

We live in the age of covert warfare.