tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post113926352813608139..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Our Friends in MoscowGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1139416832492143122006-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:002006-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:00Excellent points...as I've noted, the Russian "off...Excellent points...as I've noted, the Russian "offer" does nothing to eliminate the plutonium/heavy water option, which will yield a bomb within a decade--at the outside. Meanwhile, they can continue covert enrichment efforts inside Iran, while maintaining their charade with Russian assistance. <BR/><BR/>The Europeans are willing to embrace this "solution" because (1) it doesn't require military force, and (2) it allows them to display a measure of "leadership." The Russians like it because it protects their investments in Iran, and put the Tehran regime in "debt" to Moscow for averting military action, at least for now. And finally, the U.S. is willing to go along because we're pre-occupied in Iraq, at least for the time being. <BR/><BR/>This is a solution in name only, and yes, the Russians areaa being incredibly short-sighted. They seem to believe that Iran might be able to pull some strings with Muslim insurgents in southern Russia, but that will never happen. When the Iranians get around to fabricating "terrorist-sized" nukes, the Chechen rebels will be on the list of recipients.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.com