Much of America’s military intelligence capacity is focused now on the Russia-Ukraine border, where Russian troops are massed, and ready for President Vladimir Putin to give the order to attack.

Day by day, the Biden administration and NATO allies have warned that a Russian incursion into the Ukraine is imminent, that the attack could come any day. Putin has denied that, and announced that the troops amassed for military “exercises” would be pulled back on Sunday. Sunday came and went, and the troops remained in place.

Intellligence reports indicate that the Russian military commanders now have their orders to prepare to invade Ukraine.

The prospect of a hot war in Europe is most disconcerting. How far will it go? Will Russia grab a portion of Ukraine, as it did Crimea, and be satisfied for now? Will the hostilities escalate to other areas? Will NATO be forced to enter the fray, which would involve U.S. troops as well?

The U.S. and European Union members have promised to inflict painful punitive economic sanctions against Russia if it invades. They had better be big ones. Russia seems intent on taking Ukraine.