Russia has quite a few Muslim citizens, and Muslim former-Soviet republics on its southern border. The Russians have never looked far from their own nation's security concerns in international affairs. Faced with Muslim extremists both in Chechenya and to the south, as well as the international nature of Al-Qaeda, and the specter of the USA camped out within striking range, Russia playing both sides against the middle is not so surprising.

The Iraqi military has "melted away", huh?
heh heh... This gives a bit different perspective on some of that looting, dontcha think?

I mean, looting the fish, I understand. You can eat fish....

Regards--
Mary Anne