Jonah wrote on Friday about the administration’s threat to send socks to the Ukraine. On top of that we may nominate an ambassador to Russia who we’ve feared might offend the Kremlin. From the New York Times yesterday:
The manifestation of this thinking can be seen in Mr. Obama’s pending choice for the next ambassador to Moscow. While not officially final, the White House is preparing to nominate John F. Tefft, a career diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Ukraine, Georgia and Lithuania.
When the search began months ago, administration officials were leery of sending Mr. Tefft because of concern that his experience in former Soviet republics that have flouted Moscow’s influence would irritate Russia. Now, officials said, there is no reluctance to offend the Kremlin.