What are Russia's leaders doing?

Submitted by Pat (United States), May 30, 2007 at 19:31

Russia continues to support and shield Iran in the United Nations.

Russia continues to support Islamist terrorism that takes place outside Russian territory. I say support because it is doing nothing to stop the attacks on Israel and it is facilitating the spread of nuclear weaponry. Russia has influence in that area. It's anecdotal, but I remember when many teachers and diplomats were being kidnapped in Beirut. Finally a Russian was taken and he was released very quickly, while the Americans and Europeans were held for years. That suggests that Russia has the capability to influence events in the Middle East, but it won't. Instead, Russia nurtured the very beast that is set to destroy her. Is this view of history wrong?

I'm in full agreement with fighting Islamism in Russia, but what is Russia doing to combat Islamism everywhere else? Is it wrong to see Russian leaders as willing to support Islamist regimes everywhere else if it helps them remain a major player in global affairs? They're willing to see the US and Britain bankrupt themselves fighting groups like al Qaeda but what is Russia doing to aid the effort? Do its global ambitions allow it to rationalize supporting any and all groups that will give the US and others a hard time?

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