I never expected anything different.. I'm sure no one is surprised.

True, russians are nuts like that.

I wonder if the iranian personally handed a check for the amount owed to russia, or if he told putin that the check was in the mail.

#1,2,3

It's not a good idea to trust the Russians but that goes for everybody, including the Iranians. The Iranians are already attacking Russia by proxy by providing aid and comfort to the Chechen moslems. They have really plastered Russia, killing elementary school children, blowing up buildings in Moscow, and killing thousands of Russian soldiers.

It's unlikely in the extreme that the Russians are anxious for the Iranians to get their hands on nukes. The Russians may be hard to figure out, but they are not stupid and they are not suicidal. What country would it be easier to sneak a nuke into from Iran, the US or Russia? Don't think the Russians haven't thought of that.

#3

He handed over his soul instead, which was cheap and easily traded

One thing Right Wing Militant Nationalists want you to forget is that Saddam NATIONALIZED the Iraqi Oil fields, and that all of the oil (and profits) belonged to Iraq.
Under the CPA, the oil fields were DE-nationalized and long term leases were granted to UK and US corporations, most of these at "sweetheart" terms, and for periods as long as 40 years.
With the US gaining a monopoly on world wide oil fields, what else would one expect from Russia and China? That they should allow their economies to grind to a halt because the US controls all of the oil?
China is Irans largest trading partner, Russia is the second. Don't think for a moment these two nations aren't going to look out for themselves, and they don't give a care what the UN has to say.

Not just Iran; Africa's largest trading partner is China: by plan.

I don't think US is gaining monopoly on the oil fields: the UK is faring better- could depend on what happens in Venzuela

1. Lynne, I am surprised somewhat. Given Russia's recent and ongoing bouts with Jihadist maniacs, I would have thought that Russia would think twice about their dealings with Iran, now that the USSR is no more.

Then again, I think that fond memories of The Wall underlies Putins relations with Iran: the enemy of my former enemy is still my friend.

Carolyn 1 - Before too long oil fields will matter about as much as buggy whips as more and more money goes into hydrogen fuel cell technology, which runs on water.

#9 Markedman
I've heard the estimates are in less than 20 years the US will be off oil and green. You have to assume Iran knows this which explains the importance to destablizie the US economy and keep oil price artificially high- also explains to some degree why Iran must keep US occupied and spending tons of money in Iraq.
I've heard hydrogen can be available in 7- 10 years. Big money is going to be made in hyrdogen tech, no doubt about it- I hope its sooner rather than later. Which leaves China trading with Africa- not a good thing.

6. Rainbird

And don't forget Saddam's big crime of converting money from $ to €!

10. Carolyn 1

"I've heard the estimates are in less than 20 years the US will be off oil and green."---har har har! Please tell me that you are joking!Please?

Peak Oil is hapening now, the tail of the curve will take longer than 20 years. The Russians have gas and the captive market of europe. The Chinese economic explosion will alter the curve negatively: hence the USA trying to stem China growth by controlling OPEC.

As for the USA going 'green' in 20 years, man, come on! Not a snow ball's chance in hell (pun).

You don't get it do you? When there's no oil, there's no plastic, no insecticide, and, how do you think we make hydrogen? Coal, gas and electrolosys. The last is amazingly expensive and rather silly: 30% efficiency if you generate the power near the electrolsys plant. Transporting the stuff? Cheaper at pressure but you would need to double the diameter of your gas pipe lines--in 20 years? No. One way is micro generators (hydrogen) in the house-powered by wind generators---20 years? no. Also, keeping hydrogen in the house? It's also a greenhouse gas and would need to be secure.

For such technology to work would require a massive concentrated effort by the STATE. How's the federal budget looking?

There is a value in the technology but it's far, far, from that easy. It will require a revolution! And the privatisation of the energy companies.

What fun....burn baby burn!

10 - Carolyn, Hyrdrogen fuel cells could be available now, but Big Oil is assisting in the foot dragging. More and more public transport buses and utility vehilces are running on fuel cells.

Part of the reason for the hold back are the economic issues associate with such a huge paradigm shift. Will gas stations be converted to supplying the hydrogen or will individuals spend the $USD 10,000 for the converters? What will happen to big oil companies? Etc.

The Japanese and Germans - neither of whom have any oil reserves of their own and are far more reliant than the US on foreign oil - are leading the hydrogen parade. I don't have to tell you how well their production facilities are...

As far as China trading with Africa, the more thant China trades with the rest of the world, the more open their doors will become. The more open their doors become and the wealthier their people, the more likely that economics and good old fashioned greed will bring down their Communist way of life - and might actually improve the economy of Africa.

China also is beginning to have a femine crisis due to the decades of exporting and / or aborting their baby girls. That alone should make for an interesting future. Judging from my nieces and their tastes and interests, chances are they will not be returning to China to look for husbands.

4. 57Nomad,

Look into the SCO. (Russia, Iran etc)

Also look at China's recent discovery (they say) of 2.2bn bls off shore.

Markedman
After T'mn Square I stopped importing inventory from China (mostly linens). A Chinese businessman explained to me that by not buying Chinese goods I was hurting the person trying to make a living, and I would have no effect on the government. The more trading they do, the more open and transparent them must become. He was right of course. He also said the Chinese are very capitalistic and love to make money and build business. But when I was offered to take my wholesale manufacturing business offshore to China I said no thank you. The Chinese do not understand our ethics- they steal and copy anything they can -and do it within days. I'd rather someone other than China be the major trader in Africa.

There are alot of genius inventors in America. Maybe it won't be hydrogen cells, but it will be something revolutionary. I still say, if electric gas station opened instead of gas stations, we'd be driving electric cars: Henry Ford's wife drove electric because it was easier to drive than Ford's car- but she couldn't travel too far without a station.

Finnking-
Yes, Less than 20 years the US can be off oil. The reports are before the congress of what we have to do to achieve it.
I think we'll do it because the stock market is hungry to speculate; looking for the next Big Idea.
What America does, others will follow.

I gave up on Putin long ago.

16. Carolyn 1,

Check out what Norway has been doing for years, and sweden...oh germany and holland too. Japan, .....

#8- I too am somewhat surprised about the relationship between iran and Russia considering beslam, the plane crash, and the 700+ hostages in the theater.

19. American

Look into the deals between Iran and Russia and China etc with SOC. This group is trying to counter US hegemony.

As to the 'beslam', 'hostagaes' aspect: We should remember that the elites of all states have vested interests that are invariably at odds with the local masses. Look at the USA with regard to Saddam, Suharto, OBL etc. These criminals were set up by and heavily supported while they performed their role for the western industrialilst. Then they were used as the Bogey Men when that suited.

Creating a bogey man that our benevolent elites will protect us from is not peculiar to the 'west'.

It's up to us the peoaple of the world to think beyond the false boundaries of nation state and to rise above the propaganda.

As I say, check out the heavily lubricated, oily links between Russia, china and Iran.

WWII was about ridding the world of the nazis? Look into where the 'nazis' and the brits were operating. Look into Hitler energy driven assualts.

Finnking-
g'morning-
Why is it hegemonous for US but not for Iran, Russia, China and Afrcia?
SInce you believe US is imperialistic, is China also?
I do agree with you this coaltion are /will counter the US sphere in the region- dangerously

#18
preaching to the choir