The danger of American ineptitude on Ukraine

For too long, this administration has dithered and misjudged its foes

Vladimir Putin
(Image credit: (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service))

America's State Department and intelligence services have been humiliated by the rapid action of Vladimir Putin in occupying the Crimean Peninsula. Even days after the invasion, the West seems to be reacting in slow motion compared to the rapid developments in the Black Sea region.

Russia moved heavy mobile artillery into the Crimean city of Sevastopol on Monday, while the U.S. announced that it would cancel an official government delegation to the Sochi Paralympic Games. The Russian fleet ordered the surrender of native Ukrainian military units in Crimea while NATO held a big meeting to decide not to do anything at the moment.

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Edward Morrissey

Edward Morrissey has been writing about politics since 2003 in his blog, Captain's Quarters, and now writes for HotAir.com. His columns have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Post, The New York Sun, the Washington Times, and other newspapers. Morrissey has a daily Internet talk show on politics and culture at Hot Air. Since 2004, Morrissey has had a weekend talk radio show in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and often fills in as a guest on Salem Radio Network's nationally-syndicated shows. He lives in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota with his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and his two granddaughters. Morrissey's new book, GOING RED, will be published by Crown Forum on April 5, 2016.