The U.S. administration faces “some of the most challenging times in the relations between the U.S. and Russia since the end of the Cold War,” said the new U.S. ambassador to Russia, John F. Tefft. For background, check out my three books on Russia-Ukraine and its Jewish communities: “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel,  http://amzn.to/13Sp769; “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).