This is the attitude that keeps the American finger on the trigger for carrying out millitary action. Iran knows Russia will never agree to any real sanctions that will seriously damage Iranian interests there is to much money involved. As a result Iran continues to develop his neuclear program and laughs at the west. If the Russians were not so desperate to avoid harfull sanctions they might make some real progress in the possibility of solving the problem diplomaticly. The Russians are acting as a BIG part of the problem and not as part of the solution.

Absolutely blistering brillance from the Soviets, er, I mean the Russians, who, as everyone knows, have done so much to increase peace and tranquility in the world. Please consider making a donation to help me have my sarcasm mechanism repaired. I appears to be stuck in the "full on" position.

Russia a lot of money. Sanctions would make it more difficult to pay back the loans for equipment. Of course, the Iranians could do like the Egyptians under President Nasser and kick out the Russians and refuse to pay the debts. But Russians are like Moslems in that they are willing to wait decades, or even generations...to get even.

The Russians should,besides declining to go ahead with sanctions,have advised and asked Bush and Rice about the previous conclusions drawn by the USA that Iran had a Nuclear Arms programme!!! Where did Bush come to know of the previous conclusions made?The answer to that question will further ridicule him in the eyes of his fellow Americans. Further, just because the Russians have declimed to impose further sanctions will automatically make them supporters of evil.Wont they?

Putin's entire regime stability and legitimacy rests on the wealth generated by the high oil prices. Anyone who thinks that Russia will ever do anything to promote peace and stability in the ME is sadly mistaken. On EVERY ME issue, it's Lavrov's job to see - what can we do make sure that conflict and war in the ME persists. Someone needs to tell Condi...

This isn´t the first time Americans withdraw their support when Israelis face a crisis. In 1948 after Arab Liberation Army had organised the blockade of 100 000 Jews in Jerusalem and killed hundreds of Haganah members, the US retracted their support for the Partition plan, which encouraged the Arab League to believe that the Palestinians, reinforced by the Arab Liberation Army, could put an end to the partition plan. Now they gave the excuse for Russia and China to oppose further sanctions to Iran using this ´intelligence report´ as an excuse. I knew this would happen the minute I heard about the report. Russia and China are Israel´s longtime enemies, especially Russia, but our so called friends gave them the excuse. Americans say one person is behind the report, but why is such a person, Thomas Fingar, in his current position then? It also really, really bothers me what kind of cowards Israelis have become. Totally dependent on USA, not willing to do ANYTHING for their country themselves. Spineless, cowardly, weak.. Nothing like our grandfathers who fought for the independence of Israel. They didn´t ask other people to fight for their country.

This stance is not surprising, even if it is unwarranted. Russia has become an increasingly unfriendly power to the West, since the rise of Putin. It is time that the European Union and the United States realize this, and direct their policies accordingly. Russia might become more cooperative, if it finds itself cut-of from normal relationships as a result of its policies.

Russia trying to cover up on Iran's nukes. Does Russia want to see Israel being showered by the Ayatollahs' Mushroom Cloud? If so, then they are as guilty as the fanatical Islamist-Jihadist Iranian regime in threatening to annihilate Israel.

And Islam will get into bed with anything that even temporarily helps them get to bomb. Like they couldn't buy it from Pakistan?

ONE DOES NOT NEED THE INTELLIGENTIA OF A THINK TANK TO GET THE FEELING THAT RUSSIA IS INTENT ON ANOTHER COLD-WAR.WHAT IS MOST STRIKING IS HER UNHELPFUL AND UNFRIENDLY ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE NATO BLOCK OF COUNTRIES,AND IN PARTICULAR PUTIN'S ATTITUDE TO THE U.S.A..THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO IRAN.DESPITE THE LOWNESS IN THE DOLLAR,AMERICA HAS FINANCIAL MUSCLE AND IT SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR THAT SHOULD RUSSIA UNDERGO A FINANCIAL CRISIS,THE NEXT TIME,THE U.S.A. WOULD BE MORE RETICENT IN GIVING THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.IT IS THIS THAT WILL MAKE PUTIN LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER,AND BE MORE ACCOMODATING TO THE ISSUES THAT EFFECT WESTERN INTERESTS.THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT CAN PRESERVE U.N.SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAN WHICH RUSSIA SEEKS TO ANNUL