Guess who's back... back again...

Whatever, so you probably won't guess: it's Russia, according to this rather fascinating Daily Star piece. Putin, it seems, is putting Russia's energy assets to good use—expanding his influence throughout the Middle East and cozying up to Iran and Syria, much to America's discomfort. And naturally enough: "The crisis has revealed a new source of friction ahead of a Bratislava summit between Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush." Oh really. Because that wasn't at all predictable when we set up our official Russia policy three years ago. You know, the one that goes: George W. Bush peers into Putin's soul and likes what he sees. Bush assumes the two countries' interests will always and magically converge of their own accord. And oh, how I wish I were joking...