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.

Jerry Brown Opposes Legal Pot Because ‘We Need To Stay Alert’  —  California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said Sunday that he is not convinced legalizing marijuana is a good idea because the population needs to “stay alert.”  —  “The problem with anything, a certain amount is okay,” Brown said on NBC's Meet the Press.

Here's What Is Going To Happen With Ukraine  —  Following up on the previous post, if you do want to fret about Ukraine, I have just the thing for you.  I'm going to tell you how this will all unfold:  — Vladimir Putin will do something belligerent.  (Already done.)

Waiting for Jeb  —  The 2016 presidential election is Jeb Bush's now-or-never-moment.  —  As other potential GOP standard-bearers have been hit by scandal or seen their luster fade, many Republicans desperately want the former Florida governor to get in the race.

Lerner's attorney says she won't testify, Issa wrong  —  Rep. Darrell Issa doesn't know what he's talking about, the attorney for former IRS official Lois Lerner said Sunday.  —  Issa, the California Republican who chairs the House Oversight and Reform Committee, told “Fox News Sunday” …

Port Authority officials: Battle over toll hikes was all for show  —  Current and former officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey say a scheme was devised to give the governors of both states political cover for a 2011 toll hike at bi-state bridges and tunnels.  (John Munson/The Star-Ledger)

Interview: Karzai says 12-year Afghanistan war has left him angry at U.S. government  —  KABUL — Hamid Karzai was in the midst of negotiating a security agreement with the United States when he met a 4-year-old girl who had lost half her face in an American airstrike.

Russia Gas Threat Shows Putin Using Pipelines to Press Ukraine  —  OAO Gazprom (OGZD)'s threat to end natural gas discounts for Ukraine adds to the financial burden on the near-bankrupt government in Kiev and makes Europe's energy supply part of the escalating crisis.

Pipeline Protesters Arrested at White House  —  Police are arresting a couple hundred people who strapped themselves to the White House fence on Sunday to protest the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline.  —  The protesters were mostly college students who participated in a peaceful march …