As Russia Tightens its grip on Ukraine, President Obama Issues an Ultimatum--to Israel

The good news is that with the deteriorating situation in the Ukraine, as Russian President Vladimir Putin digests the Crimea and ponders whether to swallow up the rest of the eastern Ukraine as well, today President Obama finally found the backbone to issue an ultimatum. The bad news is that he issued it to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to this story in Reuters:

Obama assured Netanyahu of his "absolute commitment" to preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons, despite the Israeli leader's deep skepticism over U.S.-led efforts to reach a final international deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

But, warning that time was running out, Obama also urged Netanyahu to make "tough decisions" to help salvage a faltering U.S.-brokered peace process aimed at reaching a framework agreement with the Palestinians and extending talks beyond an April target date for an elusive final accord.

If his mind runs to plays on words, Bibby Netanyahu may have been thinking, "For me to trust the security of Israel to your hands would be a Crimea."