James Clapper: “I believe that you would find this as a tremendous asset in having someone that can conduct an overview.”

this is the standard Russian -- Soviet Russian way of war. Surround a city if they can and they are having trouble doing that, put it under siege, strangle it, prevent supplies, medicines, food, water, et cetera and then bombard the city…

It speaks to Putin's character, and his KGB background, having essentially lawless, mercenary group, a private army, responsible only to him.

there's going to be more of the graphic, wanton brutality that they've witnessed.

I think this reflects Russian insecurity. And it's almost like, Putin needs a rhetorical security blanket, of making threats, like this.