President Putin's endgame in Crimea is now clear -- and the West has only a few days to act. On Thursday, the Crimean parliament voted 78-0 to hold a referendum on March 16. The main question will ask whether voters want the region to secede from Ukraine and become part of Russia. Previously, a referendum had been scheduled for March 30 on the less politically charged question of whether Crimea should have greater autonomy within Ukraine. If, as expected, a majority endorses secession, the story will change overnight from one about Russia's unprovoked military invasion to one about a minority's right to self-determination. That is the Kremlin's plan.
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Daniel Treisman: Only a few days are left to stop the Crimea breakaway
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He says if Crimea votes to rejoin Russia, that will greatly strengthen Putin's position
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U.S. and EU need to apply economic pressure, make the case for a "no" vote, he says
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Treisman: Crimea must see the choice is between prosperity and stagnation
In the remaining time before March 16, the West must convince both the Kremlin-connected Russian elite and the population of Crimea that the region's secession to @placeholder would be a mistake.
Crimea's tourism industry would have to forget about attracting @placeholder visitors to the region's beaches.
The @placeholder should quickly earmark some portion of the 11 billion euros already promised to Ukraine for projects to develop Crimea's economy if it remains Ukrainian.