This disproportionate response and the rapid nature of the Russian action (they were clearly at a high state of readiness eager to pounce) show the true nature of the Soviets (Oh, I mean Russians). Under Putin, Russia has become an aggressive and chauvinistic state eager to punish its neighbors. It arms Iran (including air defense weapons that would be used by Iran to defend its nuclear weapons production facilities), Syria and Venezuela. It has threatened to return to Cuba. It sells uranium to Iran, which Iran works diligently to turn into a nuclear weapon to use on Israel. Russia thwarts international efforts to use diplomacy and sanctions to stop Iran and in effect provides Iran’s mad mullahs with cover for its effort. Russia under Putin has moved from a nuisance to a neo-colonial country willing to use naked terror for its own aims.