I could not have said this any better myself! But I would like to argue one thing: Turkey, and not Russia, has the best position on this issue. Because Turkey openly says that Israel is the reason for Iran's nuclear programme, whereas Russia does not openly say that. Turkey has said that Israel attacks her neighbours, yet Russia has not said this. President Medvedev spoke of sanctions against Iran while in America, yet he said nothing of sanctions against Israel. I think Russia has greatly disappointed us all in the way they are harshly criticising Iran for complying with International Law, and for saying nothing against Israel who repeatedly violate International Law. Otherwise, everything else you have said is spot on, thank you.

I hope Russia doesn't really mean to back up the US in the sanctioning of Iran, Why??? Lola is totally right in her above comments, and in addition I must add, would you trust the US whose media and think tanks are constantly reigning anti Russian propaganda; Has Russia for starters already forgotten who armed and trained Georgia, financed the Orange, Rose revolutions , do you think Obama is going to change anything as far as "foreign poliucy" when he is surrounded by the same "power elitists" that run the country. Even our health care bill is already watered down to the image and likeness of the Corporate state. Middle East Policy is owned by the Israel lobby and the domestic policy by the powerful corporate lobbies....Obama is just another politician , The only way the world will have peace is Russia and China counter balancing the US "wanna be" imperial ambitions. France and Britain are not worth mentioning. fred,,,,,Oregon USA