[The Great Satan]

Russia is repairing relations with the U.S.

Interesting how little heat Russia has taken from the administration. I have a suspicion Bush went to Putin 18 months ago and told him, "Vlad, we have a situation. Here's how you can help..." And Uncle Vlad said, "Okay, not a problem."

[GEC]

Russia's continuing betrayal of the U.S. is the currently largest underreported story of this war.

[fire_eye]

I have a suspicion Bush went to Putin 18 months ago and told him, "Vlad, we have a situation. Here's how you can help..."

I keep getting the same feeling myself, that Bush and Putin have choreographed the strategy so that Putin can keep Russia out of the conflict on our behalf while staying out of trouble with his xenophobic Russian constitutency - while eventually cashing in on the spoils.

But then I wonder if I'm indulging in post-cold-war fantasizing... and have been reassured by various others on this forum that in fact I am, that nothing has changed in Russia, that Putin is Satan incarnate, etc. etc...

The problem in debating either way is that AFAIK we have no evidence either way, and can only speculate...