The Breitbarts of the world, including Bannon and Musk, only see the world through the lens of greed. So, if immigrants are forced out of the USA there will be more for the greedy. If the USA middle class can be eliminated and the people have to forage for food they will die or survive, but, won’t require public services like education. Who cares if a woman dies in childbirth, it is one less loser to sap the ruthless dry?
I sincerely believe the sea change of the people placing greed before humanity confounded other leaders, especially autocrats. Autocrats are sort of like Wall Street, “certainty” is security. What if this new wave of greed politics was actually a long term plan to defeat autocrats and rob them of their power? What if it is? What does a self-respecting autocrat do?
See, Bannon has turned democracy on its head and allowed the dark side of human nature to overrule the benevolence of the USA. It is why it lends itself so well to racketeering. Bannon created the permission to destroy benevolence while turning greed into a virtue. He only got so far with it in the USA and then moved on Europe to hack away at its ideas of peace and well being. All was possible through the instrument of elections and propaganda.
The only reason to even discuss this is to realize how a country estranged from its governance can confuse the international venue and escalating tensions full of hatred. Putin probably believes there is so much more to comprehend about the political sea change in the right wing party of the Free World that it is necessary to maintain a formidable facade to maintain some semblance of Russian superiority. Basically, why not destroy what is not understood? Communists see any other resolve as a weakness.
I doubt if those confused by the Anti-American dogma of right wing politics actually care to understand it and seek peace. They rather arm to destroy it. At least the destruction will make sense to them.