Russia Threatening Uncooperativeness on Iran

On Monday, Russia demanded that the U.S. drop sanctions against two Russian companies believed to be aiding Iran in the midst of their nefarious nuclear program -the one threatening Western civilization.

In other words, Russia is telling America that they will help stop Iran if they can resume helping Iran. Smells a bit arrogant, wouldn't you say...

The AP reports:

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the sanctions against state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and top aircraft maker Sukhoi for allegedly violating a U.S. law known as the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000, create a "predicament" for Moscow.

If Russia is asked to vote on a Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment at the same time that Russian companies are subject to U.S. sanctions, it would be voting on a measure "which at least by implication supports sanctions which have already been imposed on us," he said.

Russia may have a change of heart pending an active Chinese role in North Korea. If China decides to move against Kim Jong-il or dutifully enforce the resolution, Russia's strategic political influence over the U.S. would be significantly diminished.

Why? Because China's seeming compliance with U.S. interests would be unprecedented Chinese precedent setting, something they have so carefully avoided since WWII. And Iran would be much less inclined to assume UN inaction from an absent China, let alone a Chinese veto. Hence, the Western grip on Iran would be tightened, leaving Russia with no cards to play.

And so, Russia waits to move:

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said Churkin had not spoken to him about lifting U.S. sanctions against the two Russian companies. "We are going to be moving this week on the Iran sanctions question and I suppose I'll hear it at that point," he said.

Once China decides to stop North Korea, Russia would either have to join the team or sit out of the game.