Libyen: Alltag in einem zerfallenden Land

Krim gehört zu Russland: Die Unterzeichnung des Vertrages

Die Schwarzmeerhalbinsel Krim und die Hafenstadt Sewastopol sollen neu zur Russischen Föderation gehören. Russlands Präsident Putin hat den Vertrag zusammen mit der pro-russischen Krim-Führung unterzeichnet. Die noch ausstehende Zustimmung des Parlaments gilt als sicher.

US-Vizepräsident Biden zur Krim-Annexion

Putin Approves Annexation of Crimea

Mar. 18, 2014 - 3:24 - Greg Palkot reports from Kiev, Ukraine

Putin Condemns Western Hypocrisy as He Confirms Annexation of Crimea

THE GUARDIAN: Russian president makes speech laced with bluster and anger at west, saying Russia has been 'cheated again and again'

Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Crimea on Tuesday in a searing speech to assembled political elites in Moscow shot through with angry rhetoric about western aggression and hypocrisy.

The Russian president summoned the federal assembly, which includes both houses of parliament and all key political leaders, for an extraordinary session in the Kremlin's St George Hall.

Putin delivered an hour-long speech laced with patriotic bluster and anger at the west, whose politicians he said "call something white today and black tomorrow".

He was frequently interrupted by applause and at the end of the speech signed documents together with the de facto leader of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov – who came to power after seizing the local parliament at gunpoint last month – to absorb the territory into Russia.

Putin recognised Crimea as an independent state late on Monday evening, making it easier to incorporate into the Russian Federation than if it were still Ukrainian territory. Kiev has said it will never give up its claim to Crimea, but is unable to respond to Russia militarily due to the huge disparity in their respective martial forces. » | Shaun Walker in Simferopol | Tuesday, March 16, 2014

Celente: Sanctions against Russia over Crimea Are Toothless

More than two dozen Russian and Crimean officials have been sanctioned with travel bans and asset freezes in the US and Europe. But, few seem to be happy with that. Lawmakers in Washington say it's not enough, while Russia's furious at being handed any sanctions at all, given the overwhelming show of support in Crimea. Gerald Celente, publisher of the Trends Journal says there was little choice in the restrictions placed on the officials.

Watters' World: Russians in America Edition

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:47 - Watters heads to one of the largest Russian communities in the US

Russia TV Host: Russia Could Turn USA into Radioactive Ashes

A Russian TV host has threatened the United States with a nuclear strike in his news broadcast. The remarks made by Dmitry Kiselyov were broadcast at the same time as the polls closed in the disputed Crimean referendum about secession from Ukraine. With a picture of a nuclear explosion behind him and words "Into radioactive ashes" written across the screen, Kiselyov said: "Russia is the only country in the world that is really able to turn the USA into radioactive ashes. He also referenced an official Russian government article published in January and urged US officials to read it as it "very clearly explained in detail how our system of guaranteed nuclear revenge works. It is called 'Perimeter'. In the USA it was nicknamed 'Dead Hand'. Actually I advise you to read it." Kiselyov is seen as a loyalist of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been awarded a friendship medal and made the head of the Russia Today news agency. Report by Ashley Fudge.

THE INDEPENDENT: State television presenter warns Russia could 'turn the US into radioactive dust': TV presenter says Obama won't stop calling Putin and living in fear of the Russian president is making his hair go grey » | Maria Tadeo | Monday, March 17, 2014

Bolton: 'Embarrassing How Weak' Obama's Russia Sanctions Are

Mar. 17, 2014 - 6:20 - Former US ambassador to the UN sounds off on president's sanctions on Putin's inner circle over Crimea and questions about the politics of missing Malaysia plane's pilot

Diese Sanktionen beeindrucken Wladimir Putin sicher nicht

Wladimir Putin

DIE PRESSE: Die EU hat nach dem Anschluss-Referendum auf der Krim pflichtschuldig Strafmaßnahmen verhängt. Russland wird deshalb sein Verhalten nicht ändern.

Vielleicht ist ja schon erstaunlich, dass Europa irgendeinen Finger gegen Russland rührt. Doch bei Licht betrachtet sind die Sanktionen der EU ähnlich furchteinflößend wie eine paar aufblasbare Plastikkrokodile im Kinderschwimmbecken. Ob nun acht prorussische Krim-Führer und 13 zweitrangige Politiker aus Russland nach Europa reisen und dort auf, möglicherweise ohnehin inexistente, Konten zugreifen dürfen oder nicht, wird das Kalkül des russischen Präsidenten kaum verändern. Jedenfalls werden diese „Strafen“ Wladimir Putin nicht davon abhalten, den Anschluss der Krim an Russland zu vollziehen. Das war auch gar nicht mehr Ziel des Beschlusses der EU-Außenminister. Jean Asselborn, mitteilsamer Chefdiplomat Luxemburgs, hat die Wahrheit ausgesprochen: Der Status quo ante auf der Krim werde sich auch mit schärfsten Sanktionen nicht mehr herstellen lassen. » | Von Christian Ultsch | Die Presse | Print-Ausgabe | Dienstag, 18. März 2014

Die neue Eiszeit

Menschen feiern nach dem Referendum auf der Krim.

TAGES ANZEIGER: Die russisch-amerikanischen Beziehungen glichen zunehmend der Fahrt auf einer Achterbahn. Nach der russischen Annexion der Krim ist Schluss.

Wozu Wladimir Putin fähig ist, zeigte er schon 2008 beim Angriff auf Georgien. In Washington freilich erlosch selbst damals nicht die Hoffnung, der Mann in Moskau werde sich doch noch als verlässlicher Partner erweisen. Nach Putins gesetzlosem Vorgehen auf der Krim ist davon nichts geblieben: Washington sammelt die Scherben einer Politik ein, die niemals wirklich wusste, wer Wladimir Putin war und ist. Und je mehr sich der Russe als amerikanischer Buhmann empfiehlt und Erinnerungen wachruft an die Zeiten des Kalten Krieges, desto intensiver wird in der amerikanischen Hauptstadt seine psychische Befindlichkeit hinterfragt. » | Von Martin Kilian, Washington | Montag, 07. Müarz 2014

Independence from Rome! Venice Floating Away Unnoticed as Crimea Steals Show

While the Crimean referendum tops world media headlines, an attempt at secession is going on in Veneto, Italy, with its major city Venice. But as it is being virtually ignored by media, people in Europe are hardly aware of what's happening next door.

EU and US Impose Crimea Sanctions on Russia

Obama entraîné dans une nouvelle guerre froide

LE FIGARO: Bousculé par une agressivité qu'il était loin d'avoir anticipée, le président américain a durci le ton en annonçant « un élargissement des sanctions » à plusieurs membres du gouvernement russe.

Barack Obama avait rêvé d'une présidence centrée sur la reconstruction de la nation américaine. D'une politique de sécurité du «XXIe siècle» à «l'empreinte légère» qui mettrait l'accent sur la diplomatie. Mais le voilà forcé, bien malgré lui, de s'engager ainsi que ses alliés dans une confrontation avec la Russie qui commence à ressembler furieusement à une nouvelle guerre froide. » | Par Laure Mandeville | lundi 17 mars 2014

From a Country Which Has Just Legalised Marijuana, This BS!

Paris Car Ban Starts After Pollution Hits High

BBC: Hundreds of police are monitoring traffic in Paris after pollution levels prompted the French government to impose major restrictions.

Only motorists whose cars have odd-numbered registration plates are allowed to drive.

On Tuesday, if the restrictions remain in place, it will be the turn of those with even-numbered plates.

Ministers acted after air pollution exceeded safe levels for five days running in Paris and surrounding areas.

The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing. (+ BBC video) » | Monday, March 17, 2014

Putin erkennt Krim als souveränen Staat an

ZEIT ONLINE: Der nächste Schritt für einen Beitritt zu Russland ist getan: Präsident Putin hat die Halbinsel Krim trotz westlicher Warnungen als unabhängigen Staat anerkannt. » | Quelle: Zeit Online, dpa, AFP, Reuters, tis | Montag, 17. März 2014

Crimean Referendum: Mr Putin and the Threat of a New Cold War

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Through a series of interventions in civil liberties, Mr Putin is turning a soft autocracy into a highly repressive state

The referendum that took place in Crimea is both irrelevant and deeply significant. Irrelevant because it has no standing in the law of the country to which it applies, and because it took place while the autonomous region was under military occupation. International bodies are unlikely to recognise its outcome: the UN security council voted by 13-1 to condemn it on Saturday, with only Russia voting against. The referendum is significant, however, because it represents a giant step on the road to Russian annexation, and because it reveals a little more of the nature of that country's president, Vladimir Putin. » | Editorial | Sunday, March 16, 2014

Earthquake Strongly Felt Across Los Angeles

Mar. 17, 2014 - 1:55 - William La Jeunesse reports

Christian Values Under Attack At Home and Overseas?

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:15 - Reaction from Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition