PrairiePundit

BBC: President Vladimir Putin has escalated Russian criticism of a new US missile defence station in Romania, saying his country will "neutralise emerging threats". He argued it was aimed at weakening Russia's nuclear power and vowed to increase Russian defence spending. US President Barack Obama voiced concern about Russia's "growing aggressive military presence". Nato says the base is aimed at potential threats from the Middle East. The US on Thursday activated the estimated $800m (£550m; €700m) missile shield in Deveselu, southern Romania. ... The limited missile defense in Europe is not a threat to the Rusian fleet since it has more than enough missiles to overwhelm the system.  The shield is intended to stop missiles from Iran.   It seems clear that Putin would like his adversaries to be completely defenseless.

Washington Post: Focus group’s view on Bush, Clinton: ‘Again?’ ‘Don’t like.’ THE TAKE | In a two-hour session, a dozen Denver-area voters were chilly and sometimes harshly dismissive of the political dynasties that occupy so much space in the coming presidential race. I am not that keen about seeing a Romney rerun either.  Bush would be better than Clinton.  At least he has had executive experience, but I am ready for someone new this year and I think most of the early polls are based more on name recognition than a sense of the best choice.

Reuters: The Pentagon said on Wednesday it was bolstering the size of its Europe-based crisis response force to 675 Marines by sending 175 new troops to a Romanian base near the Black Sea at a time of tensions over Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The Marines are part of a crisis response team headquartered in Moron, Spain, and primarily meant for operations in Africa, although they can be sent anywhere, a Pentagon spokesman said. The decision to increase the force with Marines based in Romania was made last year before the current crisis, he said. But it came on the heels of news on Tuesday that General Philip Breedlove, the top U.S. officer in Europe, is considering moving a U.S. warship into the Black Sea in the coming days to reassure NATO allies and exercise with partners. Army Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the department was looking at sending a ship to the Black Sea. He didn't rule out exercises with the Ukrainian navy, but added th...