[pierrem15]

I understand, although many Poles would not.

What's your take on Putin's apparent switch to supporting the US on Iraq?

[Pubbie]

"What's your take on Putin's apparent switch to supporting the US on Iraq?"

Well you see that's tricky.

What most people don't know, is that Putin can do virtually anything he wants in terms of directing public policy, but it's much harder to control his foreign policy because he can't do certain things without getting the approval of the Military, or the Oligarchs etc.

In the US the situation is reversed, Bush can do almost anything he wants on Foreign policy, but his domestic policy (As you know) is MUCH harder for him to control.

So you have to look at Russian Foreign policy like turning an Aircraft Carrier - It takes time and it's slow to change course.