In 2014, Putin annexed Crimea. Conservative critics blamed Obama for not stopping Putin. In 2020, Xi seized control of Hong Kong. Trump failed to stop it. Why is the conservative chorus from 2014 lambasting Obama "weakness" so quiet today? Why isn't Trump labeled weak as well?

 

The Trump administration sanctions announced yesterday on Chinese officials responsible for Hong Kong crackdown pale in scale and scope to what Obama imposed on Russia after Putin's invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/Fnpl2f7vty

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) December 9, 2020

The analogy of course is not perfect. But it's a lesson in the limits of US power. Obama had few means to prevent Putin's annexation of Crimea. Trump had few means to prevent CCP crackdown in Hong Kong. My position is consistent. The double standard from others is striking.

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) December 9, 2020