I find the idea of the U.S. baiting Russia into invading Ukraine far-fetched, but I am willing to consider it. And Chomsky is certainly correct, generally speaking, that a negotiated settlement is likely whether Ukraine (and its backers) give up now or after the destruction is worse. What truly bothers me, however, about both Chomsky's theories and Ms. Ralston's take on them, is the inference that there's equivalence between Russia and the NATO countries. If Mr. Chomsky were in Russia serving up stinging critiques of the government, he'd be in prison or dead.