Ukraine in crisis: Russian forces seize control of Crimea
Contributor:
A day after Ukraine's interim prime minister called Russia's military intervention "a declaration of war," Russian forces have "complete operational control of the Crimean peninsula," U.S. officials say. Meanwhile, armed Russian troops have arrived in other Ukrainian cities.
Robert Gates, President Obama's former defense secretary and author of a book that was critical of the administration, has weighed in on the crisis in the Ukraine. His message to Obama: Watch the rhetoric. "The stronger the rhetoric, the greater expectation of strong action," Gates told Reuters.
"From Putin's standpoint, he's in the catbird's seat," Gates said. "He's put himself in a position where we need him in terms of the Syrian chemical (weapons) deal. We need him in terms of the Iranian nuclear program. We need the Russians in terms of getting our (military) equipment out of Afghanistan."...
