Pressure Rising as Obama Works to Rein In Russia  —  WASHINGTON — As Russia dispatched more forces and tightened its grip on the Crimean Peninsula on Sunday, President Obama embarked on a strategy intended to isolate Moscow and prevent it from seizing more Ukrainian territory even as he was pressured at home to respond more forcefully.

Don't listen to Obama's Ukraine critics: he's not ‘losing’ - and it's not his fight  —  The ‘do something’ pundits rear their heads.  Just like they did on Iraq, Afghanistan and every other crisis of US ‘credibility’  —  The armchair class is certain that Putin is winning and Obama is losing.

Democratic Senator: Crimea Crisis is Happening Because America Looked Weak in Syria  —  Every year, a large sector of the Washington Convention Center is occupied and bedazzled for the AIPAC Policy Conference.  It's an overwhelming event, with optics and booming Hollywood soundtracks …

Tensions rise in Crimea amid report of Russian ultimatum  —  (CNN) — Russia has issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian forces in Crimea to clear out by 5 a.m. Tuesday or face a “military storm,” according to Russian state-run news agency Interfax, which cited a Ukrainian Defense Ministry source.

Harry Reid: Get Europe on board before punishing Russia  —  The United States should hold off on punishing Russia until the European community is on board with a specific response to the growing crisis in Ukraine, the Senate's top Democrat said Monday.  —  In an interview …

If Given Control, McConnell Vows a Senate in Working Order  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Mitch McConnell still has a few obstacles to overcome to become Senate majority leader next year.  First, he has to win his own primary and general election back in Kentucky, where his popularity has suffered.