Yes, with the CIA you can never rule anything out.
But a false flag with something as big as this - a plane full of EU citizens.... It doesn't seem likely to me.

So remarkable in this day and age that they can't figure out whether the plane was shot from the ground with a missile, or from a plane at a similar height and speed.

Angela Merkel seems so completely transparent at a first glance. What dirt could they possibly have about her that would shock anyone? Hard to think of anything. The only thing I'd say is that I find her journey from model marxist to christian democrat somewhat incredible. . Very convenient that her personal shift in ideology and faith blended in perfectly with developments in the world... Or is she just a shameless careerist who will go wherever the wind blows?