Putin on the Ritz

Over the weekend, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Putin seemed like he was “in another world” during their telephone conversation. Did Putin’s press conference prove her right?

+ Russian forces in Crimea? What Russian forces?

+ The Ukraine-Russia crisis in numbers (including the $1b U.S. loan guarantees just promised to Ukraine’s new government.)

+ “You have to understand, George, that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” Putin’s Ukrainian endgame and why the West may have a hard time stopping him.

+ There’s one place where this story is being closely monitored: Space.