So how does providing Iran with nuclear technology help fight terrorism or advance Russian interests in a sensible fashion? Giving a tin of gasoline and matches to an arsonist does not fight arson, so why should Russia hope the principle will be different with terrorists? And why should a nuclear armed Iran that no longer needs Russian technical help not become a danger to Russia as well as to other neighbors?
I surmise that the cash paid by the mullahs for Russian nuclear technology includes lush bribes to Russian officials. But once enough A bombs are in hand and Russian help is no longer needed -- perhaps three years from now -- Iran could advance its interests and easily score major points with Islamists by advocacy on behalf of the Chechen rebels and against Russia in the 'Stans.
The supposed Iran-India-Russia alliance is not a genuine alliance but is a temporary and subsidiary political alignment that is readily subject to change. With an economy increasingly tied to the American market, India is establishing a relationship with the US that precludes fidelity to Russian strategic interests when they clash with those of the US. Plausibly, India, a regional nuclear power friendly with Iran, could help bring her to drop support for terrorism and harmonize its foreign policy with American interests, making Russia the odd man out. If that happens, can we at least agree now that having played a dangerous game that helps Iran get nuclear weapons, Russia will have no cause to complain if the game turns against her?
It is pure fantasy to say that in the 1990's the CIA has backed Islamic terrorists in Central Asia. But there are strong indications that the Russian FSB bombed an apartment building and blamed the Chechens so as to panic the Russian public into electing Putin. And it is painfully clear that corruption has undermined Russia's efforts to protect itself against terrorism. See the excerpts and articles linked below from the BBC.
Beslan team accuses top officials
High-ranking military officials aided gunmen who seized a school in Beslan, according to the Russian parliamentary commission investigating the siege.
Two officers have been arrested, the commission's chairman, Alexander Torshin, told Russian news agencies.
"Now I think a couple of others will join them... and their rank is higher than major," he was quoted as saying.
Full story at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4214853.stm
Police charged over Beslan siege
Russia has charged three police officials with criminal negligence over the Beslan school siege, in which an estimated 360 people were killed.
Residents of Beslan welcomed the charges as a start, though they are furious that the gunmen ever made it to their town. Many believe the gunmen bribed their way through police checkpoints.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3958249.stmIt's a light water reactor, the same as the two we were building the N.Koreans. You can't make fissable fuel from it. Dirty bomb fuel yes, nuke bomb no. Pakistan, though, is giving them nukes.