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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Losing control

Say what you want about the previous state of the middle east, but this current version, this Bush created version is worse. (and keeps getting even worse.)
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Wednesday the kingdom does not see any obstacle to cooperating with Russia on developing a nuclear energy program.

(It appears the major short term purpose of Putin's speech blasting US policy was to act as political backdrop for his current middle east trip where the goal is to sell Russian weapons, nuclear technology, and an alternative partnership to the Sunni nations.)

2 Comments:

  • Hmm... It seems Russia is trying to reassert itself as a world power. Perhaps they've had enough of hearing that the US is the only super-power in the world.

    Putin seems to be selling Russia as a more benevolent partner to Middle Eastern countries. An alternative -- even an antidote -- to US unilateralism in the region.

    We'll be back to the good old days of Cold War and arms races before you know it. Ah, things get curiouser and curiouser.

    By Blogger -epm, at 9:53 AM  

  • I think they're seizing the opportunity. One of the benefits they offer is that, like China, they will not challenge human rights or non-democratic despots. (The US does sometimes.)

    If they can build alliances in the big oil states by using trading nuclear technology and weapons, they can control the world oil market. (Or at least gain more control.) Think about the leverage that would give them against the US, and more importantly, against their regional rival China.

    That's a pretty big carrot for them to go in. It gives them big incentive to protect Iran, too.

    I think this is just a policy coming out of the closet.

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 10:22 AM  

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