Thursday, March 27, 2014

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- March 27, 2014

A mural in Moscow showing Crimea in Russia's national colors. (Artur Bainozarov/Reuters)

How The West Can Help Ukraine—And Stop Russia -- David Frum, The Atlantic

A roadmap for responding to Moscow’s aggression

In one classic episode of the British comedy Yes Minister, a senior civil servant detailed the four phases of Foreign Office advice during an international crisis:

Nothing is happening.
Something is happening, but we don’t know what it is.
We know what it is, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
Maybe there was something we could have done—but it’s too late now.

This analysis produced the recommended response: all aid short of help.

In Ukraine, Western governments are now shifting from Phase 2 to Phase 3. We certainly know what is happening: the boldest Russian attempt in a quarter-century to reverse the outcome of the Cold War. Russia has already defied norms of behavior in place since 1945—and threatens to do worse if it doesn’t get more of its own way.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

After Crimea: What Putin might do next -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

The Crimean Crisis from the Kremlin's Perspective -- Matthias Schepp, Spiegel Online

How to deal with Ukraine without reigniting a full-fledged Cold War psychology -- George P. Shultz and Sam Nunn, Washington Post

Would You Die for Ukraine? -- Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy

Sans braid, with F-bombs blazing, Tymoshenko is back -- Olga Rudenko, Global Post

Russia Will Feel the Bite of Western Sanctions, Eventually -- John W. Schoen, NBC

Condi Rice Blasts Obama on Weakness, Leadership: Says we can't afford to be war weary. -- Stephen F. Hayes, Weekly Standard

What Obama should ask of Saudi Arabia -- Christian Science Monitor editorial

Arabian slights: Why the Saudis angry about American policies -- Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz

Why the Saudis unfriended the U.S. --- Peter Bergen, CNN National Security Analyst

Saudi Arabia Isn't America's Friend -- Bloomberg editorial

Karzai Confidant Takes Aim at Afghan Presidency -- Susanne Koelbl, Spiegel Online

Yes, The Taliban Are Terrorists -- Aziz Hakimi, The Diplomat

There are many reasons why Assad is stronger than ever -- Michael Young, National Interest

Rebels Reassure Christians After Capturing Key Syrian Border Town -- Hania Mourtada, Time

Can Asia prevent its own Crimea? -- Bonnie Glaser and Ely Ratner, Special to CNN

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