Russia queries US military role in M.East: agencies

[maddezmom]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia expects the United States to explain its growing military presence in the Middle East when the countries next meet to discuss the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian news agencies on Saturday.

"I have seen no change in Washington's fairly aggressive rhetoric," Lavrov said. "It continues, just like its actions to increase the military presence in the region. It will be one of the questions which we want to clarify in Washington. What's it all about?"

Lavrov is expected to take part in a meeting of the Middle East quartet group in Washington on February 2 to try to get a peace process between Israelis and Palestinians back on track. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza is due to host the meeting.


~snip~
Lavrov also said unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran would be counterproductive to efforts to resolve the problem of the country's nuclear ambitions and would force Tehran out of the negotiating process.

Russia's number 2 diplomat, Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov, is due hold talks in Iran on Sunday and is expected to discuss nuclear issues.


more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070127/ts_nm/russia_mideast_dc

[sweetheart]

1. ! ! ! busted

The russians won't put up with it, not willing to see their entire effort of
fighting world war 2 to see the belly of asia invaded by another generation of nazis.

I don't know if bush or any of his idiots realize how serious it is become;
the bully will get a big black eye if he does not get a grip.

[hack89]

2. They will do nothing ...

Short of nuclear war they are a paper tiger militarily.

[madrchsod]

3. france and germany thought the same thing

russia is there and we are over here. our military is in worse shape the the russians

[hack89]

5. No ..

our army is over extended but our navy and air force are not too tied up to take on the Russians. The Russian navy is rusting at the piers and their air force pilots have barely enough flight hours to stay proficient. The US still has unrivaled ability to project military power through out the world. The Russian's military power barely extends beyond their borders.

I don't recall the French fighting the Russians so I am not sure what lesson from history you are trying relay - you are not referring to the Crimea war are you?

[roamer65]

4. Russia and China are members of SCO.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Russia has all the nukes, China has all the people. I have heard an unconfirmed report that China has promised Iran Chinese troops in case of attack. Please be on the lookout for confirmation of this...