Posted on 03/04/2014 12:14:33 AM PST by Jim Robinson
(Reuters) - With Russia's incursion into Ukraine reviving Cold War-style tensions, President Barack Obama is at risk of suffering a blow to his credibility at a time when he can least afford it: as he tries to convince voters to stick with his fellow Democrats in congressional elections that will help shape his legacy.
For five years, Obama has practiced a cautious approach to foreign policy crises, prizing sober diplomacy and the search for consensus over brinkmanship, in prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the deliberative style that Obama's team sees as a statesmanlike attitude in tune with Americans' war-weariness, was described as dithering in the crisis over Syria, where the United States long discussed military action without committing.
Facing his toughest test yet in Ukraine, Obama is once again finding himself portrayed as a weak leader, outmaneuvered by a wily, opportunistic Russian President Vladimir Putin intent on reviving the United States' nemesis.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Latest tweet....from reporter.....Groups of pro Russia Crimeans are coming to base to try & evict the Ukrainian soldiers.... A platoon has been dispatched to guard perimeter
Great reporting. Thanks, caww.
credit for twitter photos go to @AnshelPfeffer and @haaretzcom..also @shustry
It’s more tense really then the photos show....I’m reading that half the base had surrendered before the other half opted to march and attempt to retake the base “peacefully”.
Have to say this Commanders move took a lot of nerve...trigger happy men have started many outbreaks over the years....not to mention the risk of doing this...after all they were dealing with the Russian Army....
Huffington Post just requesting to run the photos from tweeter...but we had them as it’s happening!
More.....
“Local Berkut seem to have attacked the administrative building at Belbek airbase”...unconfirmed
Ok, this may be a story on this incident: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3129301/posts
Thanks for the updates!
How much of this is kabuki for the cameras and Western consumption ?
Great job Caww,
Good question
I’m with you.
NAh...I was on twitter as the soldiers began their march...they meant business...half the base had surrendered but this Commander lead his men to this confrontation...
Not sure how this is going to go but a smart move for commander to have his men break rank and smoke if they want...tensions high enough...
Wonder if HP have picked up the tweets from Medea Benjamin that Kristinn posted? She’s sitting in “jail” in Cairo airport. Lol
Freepers are the best!
Ok.
Stand off Update...:
Ukrainian commander crossed over to the other side again to talk to Russians.... Russians apparently waiting for orders to allow Commander to guard the planes or not....
Gutsy guy...Times up....so Ukrainian Commander went to the Russian guy in Command there....
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