This IS a Tom Clancy story!
Is this why Bush has been relatively quiet on criticizing Putin and vice versa while at the same time not appearing overly friendly? And maybe any "public squabbles" were for cover?
And?
After Beslan, Putin said he wanted to form an alliance with civilized countries to jointly fight the terrorists.
Now, if Bush, Putin, Blair, Howard and rest formed an alliance to hunt down the terrorists wherever (no borders) they are...they will truly have NO WHERE TO HIDE.
If only England hadn't joined the EU. Their hands will be tied in a lot more ways now. Putin definitely has more empathy with us than Chirac (I would think) after Beslin.
I find this statement quite insightful. A little media squabble helps provide comfortable political cover, e.g for domestic and/or local political consumption.