[ScaniaBoy]

Interesting, not least the statement that Assad refused to sign a deal for a gas pipe-line though Syria with Quatar in 2009. Could be the reason for Quatar supplying the rebels with arms and money.

Not quite certain about Durden's suggestion about Russia and Israel. Sure, the gas and oil in the eastern basin of the Med (Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel) could make up for the fuel from the Arabian penninsula and also become a major competitor for Gazprom. However, Israel may well decide to divert its oil finds southwards, towards Eilat, and then to the Asian markets. It is hard to see why Israel should show any loalty towards the EU.

[Hotlanta Mike]

Putin says NYET to Arabian caliphate...

[no-to-illegals]

zer0 was unavailable. zer0 was bowing to saudi royals, so putin stood up?

[lbryce]

It is indeed quite laughable.

Putin is, if nothing else, an ideologue, a throwback to the days of glory that was once the Soviet Union. You only have to read the news of late, the harboring of Snowden is just one example, to realize Putin is a cold war warrior, having re-assumed the role of the old Soviet guard driven only by advancement of ideological political objectives, even to the very detriment of Russia's own interests.

Can you imagine trying to coerce the former Soviet Union from supporting Cuba by offering some financial incentive, arrangement? Whoever concocted the ill-conceived notion that an arms deal, any arrangement would have Putin dropping Assad is naive beyond compare. Putin's laughter is emblematic of just such an attitude of ridicule that he would consider such an arrangement.

How stupid these Saudis demonstrate themselves to be.
BUWHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAHHAHH

[lavaroise]

Putin surrendering organization to a bunch of easy US $ glorified sissi camel humpers the way Bush and the GOPe did it with Obama the specifically demoralized Marxist stooge... riiiight.... Darth Vador has some patience, I suppose, when it is his own joke entertaining him.

[SampleMan]

Russian foreign policy is two things:

1. Unapologetically pro-Russian.

2. Loyal. If you willingly hitch your wagon to the Russian horse, the Russians will not sell you out (even when the short term conflicts with #1).

People don't realize the power that #2 has with the world's despots, who know that the U.S. is a fair weather friend. But you can be a total pariah, kill thousands of your own people, and the Russian horse will still pull your wagon.

[Viennacon]

A leader looking out for his country’s interests. I wish we had one of those. Instead we have an Indonesian terrorist.

[Vendome]