[Labyrinthos]

Here's a more benign possibility as to Russia's intent: Like every other country in the world, Russia is awed by our military firepower and achievements in Afghanastan and Iraq. To avoid becoming completely impotent, Russia has to show the world, particularly China, India, Pakastan, North Korea, and Iran, that it still has a big bat and is entitled to more respect than it has been getting from them of late. For political reasons, Russia can't swing her bat at these countries, so she's going to swing at us and put on a show of force with our knowledge and consent. Although we will express the usual concern over Russia's show of force, we actually appreciate the oppurtunity to see what's left militarily of our cold war enemy. BTW, I don't believe for a second that Russia is using AQ as a proxy to destroy us. Although I suspect there are members of the old guard who would team with AQ to take us down, I doubt the Russia leadership would fake an insurgency in Chynecha (however you spell that place), and blow up a few car bombs in Moscow to pull off the stunt. I also suspect that there are a number of Russians who are as paranoid as some of the posters here and think that we're working with AQ to overthrow the Russian government.

[milkncookies]

Lab you could be right, but I could point you to a couple of articles that would make you think twice about who was really behind the theater bombing in Russia a couple of years ago, an explosion that just killed a "dissident" in Russia, and some of the Chechnyan bombings.

[Domestic Church]

"For political reasons, Russia can't swing her bat at these countries, so she's going to swing at us and put on a show of force with our knowledge and consent."

The timing is very odd considering we are under siege. That's a big red flag. No one plays nuclear footsie with you when you've got a red hot poker in the fire to burn out terrorism after being attacked. Otherwise it makes a little sense under normal conditions...if you agree that she can't swing the bat at them. They are pushing the envelope at the very least to see our weaknesses.