Putin Seizes Southern Ukraine, Czar Rising.

 

Russian Forces Occupy Crimea.  Obama Faces Biggest Test of Presidency.  What will come next?

* Netanyahu to arrive in Washington on Sunday.
* "The Auschwitz Escape" releases on March 18th.

By Joel C. Rosenberg (@joelcrosenberg on Twitter)

(Washington, D.C., March 1, 2014) -- The invasion of Ukraine began today.

• Putin formally asked Russian parliament for authorization to use force in Ukraine.
• Received unanimous consent from Russian Senate.
• Russian legislators warned of “apocalyptic consequences” if Kremlin didn't move.
• Putin ordered 6,000 troops into southern Ukraine.
* Russian forces have occupied Crimea.
• More than 150,000 Russian troops have been mobilized and are awaiting Putin’s command.
• Kremlin ignoring President Obama’s warning about “costs” of Kremlin intervention.
* How far will Putin go?
• Meanwhile, Netanyahu heads to U.S. on Sunday.
* Expects showdown with Obama over Iran, Mideast peace process.
* Obama set to increase pressure on Israel to make deep concessions and conclude final peace treaty by 2015.
• Film about the “Son of God” debuts.
* Stirs fierce reactions for and against, even among Christians.

March comes in like a lion.

• How will President Obama respond to Putin's invasion of Ukraine?
• This crisis -- head to head with Putin -- is the biggest test of the Obama presidency.
• This is bigger than the crises with Libya, Egypt, and Syria confrontations combined.
• This is a fundamental power struggle with a steadily-rising imperialist Czar, and a critical test of the NATO alliance.
• It could define America’s role as a superpower for years to come.
• Russia under Putin invaded Georgia in 2008.
• Russia under Putin moving into Ukraine in 2012.
• If there really is no penalty -- if Mr. Obama’s talk of “costs” on Russia for invading neighbors proves to be just talk -- what lessons will Putin draw and who else might he use military force against?
• Remember back to March 2012 when Obama told Putin (via Medvedev) he would have “more flexibility” on contentious issues after the elections?
• What factor will such “flexibility” play in this crisis?


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