NP - Russian Sanctions

[David Morris]

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/russia-sanctions-031714


*The president today* took the only action open to
him<http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/obama-announces-new-sanctions-against-russia-n54511>,
knowing full well that it's not going to be "enough" because nothing is
ever
<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/17/visa-bans-asset-freezes-among-possible-sanctions-against-russia/>"enough,"
and what about Benghazi, anyway?

*"We have fashioned these sanctions to impose costs on named individuals
who wield influence in the Russian government and those responsible for the
deteriorating situation in Ukraine," the White House said in a statement. A
senior administration official said that the goal of the sanctions was to
target the individual wealth of the seven people targeted by Monday's
executive order. But those same officials would not rule out further steps
against the Russian government going forward.*

This is something of a shrewd move. If we accept the fact that the Russian
government is basically an organized cabal of kleptocrats with delusions of
empire and a nuclear first-strike capability, why not bring some economic
pain that might make some of the pirates turn on some of the others?
Putin's power comes basically from being the first among thieves. That's
how he maintains control over, among other things, the military. If some of
his cronies hear their bank accounts scream, there's no telling what the
consequences will be.
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