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Actually, Pakistan does get a lot of bad press in the US -- and with good reason because of the powerful Islamist movement there and Pakistan's state support for terrorism in Kashmir. But after 9/11, Pakistan has also furnished important help against terrorism, even if it has taken substantial American pressure and aid for Musharaf to do so.

With national icon, nuclear proliferator A. Q. Khan now exposed, shut down, and under house arrest, Pakistan's conduct as to weapons help to others is now better than Russia's, which continues to provide extensive nuclear, chemical, biological, and missile technology and expertise to dangerous regimes. As bad as Pakistani nukes on missiles are, they are not directed at Israel, Europe, or the US but are a counter to India's nuclear weapons and the threat that they pose has been constrained by diplomacy and Pakistan's sense of caution.

With nuclear weapons and a record of support for terrorism worldwide, Islamist Iran will be more dangerous and intractable than ever. Is Russia prepared to accept and be responsible for the consequences? A "bad press" in America will be the least of it, for Iran is the kind of customer that seems likely to turn upon its supplier once it is opportune to do so.

You and some others here are looking for specific reasons - i.e. everyone would love Russia if it were not for Iran or some such reason.

I tell you this - Russia could be selling zero arms around the world and this hostile attitude by elements of both the and left and right would still be manifest.

The animosity borders on irrationalism - like antisemitisim.

As you can see - some on the right (since we are on the right we can speak on this rather than why the left hates Russia due to posted examples) are Cold War left overs and into this mix are those influence by the Birch society. A world view based on concpiracy and life or death struggle with the Eastern bloc does not fade easily (how many old timers still don't buy German or Japanese products?), also into this mix you throw in the rise of the "end times" cults that had as its central thesis that the USSR was the nation of the Antichrist and they follow the theory that the Russians and the Chinese will march on Jerusalem like some bad movie so no matter what happens - Russia is destined to serve this role in the end times so why make nice?

Statements that Russia is not moving to Jeffersonian democracy by some on the Right is laughable noting that most on FreeRepublic would come to the defense of Chile's anti-Communist Pinochet regime in a hearbeat.

So in conclusion, the antagonisim to Russia is not caused by disagreement on any issues.