Two Images That Will Ever Remain a Study in Contrasts: Boris Yeltsin Standing Alone Before a Russian Tank Singlehandedly Opposing the Might of the Soviet Empire (In the Midst of the Infamous 1990/1991 Colonels' Coup); 3 Decades Later Those Selfsame Tanks Surrounding the Brave 'Wee' Nation-State of Ukraine As It Singlehandedly Seeks to Resist That Selfsame Russian Might - Russian Tanks & Might, Ironically (and Tragically) Enough, Ultimately Authorized and Commandeered by THE VERY MAN Whom Then President Yeltsin 'Inadvertently' - 'Ignorantly' - 'Unknowingly' Helped Install In That Very Role!

Make no mistake: If it were possible, Yeltsin today would be turning cartwheels in his grave and forever ruing his ghastly mistake...

But sadly one cannot undo history.