[Prysson]

I dont think Russia is really all the concerned about the downfall of Saddam. It would take a total incompetent to not have seen the writing on the wall after Sept 11.

Russia's economic moves and recent trade agreements with Iraq are actually very good moves politically. By positioning themselves in such a manner that they stand to lose a great deal of "money" if Saddam is removed they actually insure that when he is removed Russia will have a place at the table in the rebuilding process...something that they were not allowed to have in Afgahnistan for obvious reasons. Basically though Russia has twice now in the past four years been left "out of the loop" in a nation building process. The first time because of their own reticence the second because of their own past mistakes in judgment. This time they mean to be in on it. The recent trade agreement with Iraq was Putins way of telling Bush...I want in on the deal.

[ffrancone]

That's an interesting take. I hope you are right. But I fear that the prospect of $15 per barrel oil for the forseeable future will be very very persuasive to the Russians.