Several events in recent days indicate deepening ties between Iran and Russia. To this end, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced last month in Washington, D.C., Moscow's "step-by-step" proposal for restarting negotiations with Iran.

The Kremlin's involvement in Libya is nothing more than hollow swaggering. If the Obama administration is seriously relying on the Kremlin's "good offices" to help secure a favorable outcome, then its lack of strategy in Libya is clearer than ever.

The absence of clear U.S. leadership on Libya has produced the current impasse, both diplomatically and militarily. Although NATO should ultimately prevail, it is wrenching that our president has caused so many of the problems we now confront.

Pressing the reset button is a deeply misleading, even vapid, metaphor for diplomatic relations.

The Obama administration should reset its Russia policy.

The Russian president cozies up to Muslims abroad, and takes a hard-line against them at home.

The Obama administration must convince not only Ukraine and Georgia, but also central and eastern Europe and Russia, that Washington is serious about its commitment to protect democracy, freedom, and liberty.