[JewishRighter]

I agree with you, but does anyone have a good feel of how the Russians or Chinese would really react if action was taken against Iran? In other words, they may have there calculation of "backing" Iran calibrated to a certain tolerance. For example, they might say, we'll go to the mat for you in the diplomatic arena, but once the shooting starts, they are outta there. I don't have a sense of just how strong the Russian or Chinese commitments really are. After all, they're primarily financial, not strategic or based on treaties and so on.

[pepperdog]

Don't you think the President's statement is to cause Russia and China to pressure Iran?

[Steve_Seattle]

"I agree with you, but does anyone have a good feel of how the Russians or Chinese would really react if action was taken against Iran? In other words, they may have there calculation of "backing" Iran calibrated to a certain tolerance. For example, they might say, we'll go to the mat for you in the diplomatic arena, but once the shooting starts, they are outta there. I don't have a sense of just how strong the Russian or Chinese commitments really are."

I agree. My sense is that they are talking tough, trying to be an irritant to the USA, but do not want to expend TOO much capital in defending Iran, much less get involved in a nuclear showdown.