Airstrip One

A further view on the motives of Russia

The Jerusalem Post commented on this following Sharon's visit to Putin earlier this week. As war is inevitable, these actions are designed to shore up their position in a post-Baathist Iraq.

However, Yuri Fedetov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, again reiterated that Russia sees no need for further actions beyond those given by existing UN resolutions. Could it be that Russia does not wish the war against Iraq to begin because it is a defender of the status quo in the Middle East, conservative in its diplomacy as its interests could be undermined by this upheaval?