Obama Ups Sanctions on Russia Over Crimea

At WaPo, "Obama expands sanctions against top aides, associates of Putin over annexation of Crimea." And Politico, "Obama expands sanctions against Russia."

Also, from Max Boot, at Commentary, "A Much-Improved Slate of Russia Sanctions."

None of these things will drive Putin out of Ukraine, but at least the response is grudgingly moving in the direction toward greater firmness. See the editors at the Washington Post, "TThe U.S. should keep tightening the sanctions on Russia":

THE SANCTIONS against Russia that President Obama announced Thursday were far tougher than those previously taken in response to the invasion and annexation of Crimea. But they remained carefully calibrated: Mr. Obama aimed to inflict economic pain on Vladi­mir Putin and his inner circle of financiers and cronies, not on the Russian economy as a whole. Mr. Putin was not named, but his personal banker and bank were locked out of the U.S. financial system, as were key aides and several longtime friends who have become billionaires under his regime and who may handle some of his investments.

The U.S. strategy could have the advantage of punishing Mr. Putin while minimizing the collateral damage to the U.S., European and global economies that could come from a broader economic war. At the same time, Mr. Obama sought to deter further Russian aggression by granting authority for sanctions against Russian economic sectors, including the energy industry, and making clear that they would be imposed if other parts of Ukraine were attacked....

If the latest sanctions do not quickly sober them up, Mr. Obama must not hesitate to expand the range of sanctions from Mr. Putin’s inner circle to the pillars of the Russian economy.

Word.