Posted on 03/02/2014 8:20:03 PM PST by Mariner
The Obama administration is working around the clock to come up with ways to punish Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine. But will any of them work?
Behind the scenes, Obama administration officials are preparing a series of possible battle plans for a potential economic assault on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, an administration source close to the issue told The Daily Beast. Among the possible targets for these financial attacks: everyone from high-ranking Russian military officials to government leaders to top businessmen to Russian-speaking separatists in Ukraine. It’s all part of the work to prepare an executive order now under consideration at the Obama administration’s highest levels.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
I’m not even sure I can see a Russian error.
Obama to punish Russia? What’s he gonna do? Send in Bruiser?
Russia is a kleptocracy. Any Russian with major assets plays for Team KGB. That makes their holdings in the west fair game for sanctions.
Just what I was thinking. Russia shuts the pipelines off and Europe turns on America for meddling. Putin is playing chess and 0bama is Googling the rules to checkers.
Costs... like the Rooskies will almost die, doubled over with laughter.
“require American taxpayers to underwrite cheap fuel to the EU”
It would come from where?
Well since Putin sent in the Night Wolves, I suppose Barack could send the Hells Angels.
Putin is toying with the Boy Wonder.
Well, he can send a large delegation of gay athletes over to the Russian embassy in DC, have them unfurl a large rainbow banner, and then engage in a month-long sit-in outside.
That’ll show the world who’s boss.
Or Dykes on Bikes.
minus Obama
There seems to be a rash of Daily Beast articles on FR. Is this opposition research or simple masochism?
This is the usual leading from behind game plan from the kenyan. He isn’t trying to get the EU’s support. He is trying to get them to decide what to do. Then if the deals goes bad he will blame them. SSDD from the kenyan.
No blood for vodka.
I don't see that happening. Russia wants the money, and Europe wants the energy. My fearless prediction: America and the EU will come up with some sort of set of sanctions. These sections will be vague, and full of loopholes.
Nothing will change. Putin keeps the Crimea. The natural gas will continue to flow, although there might be a symbolic stoppage for a short while.
And then the EU will realize that the Big Dog on the block is no longer the USA. It's Russia.
What about for Borscht?
Making a note to buy vodka.
Wait a second, no one will buy their gas, oil, coal or platinum... or will they? Sure, the Germans will cut back this winter on Russian natural gas, right? Or wait, now that we are upset, the Chinese won’t want to buy the newest Russian jet... LOL
Hot air. We have no leverage and they punked us a few days ago. Now our administration, like Baghdad Bob, is making big speeches about what they will do. You always “show action” after failure. If possible, you turn failure into a way to increase your budget if it’s the failure of some department or agency!
I would prefer if they just shut up and let this fade as quickly as possible in the rear view mirror. The more they talk and keep this in the forefront, the more I am reminded as to what a clown show they are.
It only matters the Regime has a “plan” so the tools in the MSM can boast of its Unmistakeably Clear and Forceful Statement regardless of whatever the “plan” might contain (if anything significant at all.)
If you think you’re energy prices are high now.... We’ll be the ones who pay the price for that plan. That will become very unpopular. How will this effect our economy, which is already weak?
That would send the stoutest Roosky soldier running in terror.
I'm just passing it along to engender more derision.
These are the kind of leaks that you would see in a political campaign, not international crises.
It's illustrative of the panic in the White House and Foggy Bottom. They're throwing sh!t against the wall to see what will stick...and it's all about domestic politics.
Dumb bastards are gonna get a bunch of folks killed for no good reason, just you wait...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.