For the most part, I understand about other countries in the world being anti-American, it's the popular thing to do. What I don't understand is all of the so called Americans who belittle their own country. These people can only be one of two things, ultra liberals or democrats, ie; Pelosi.

Tom, Livermore, USA

The usa is in its death throes. As Lenin said "the final act of decadent capitalism is Imperialism" . I.e theft of other nations resources. First Iraq's, then Iran's, then ultimately Russia's.

keith b, wigan, uk

America is by far the most hypocritical nation on earth today. America cries over a nuclear Iran, but ignores the well known “secret” that Israel has a highly illegal nuclear program. Israel is the greatest threat to peace in the world today.

Li Shang, Shenyang, China

America is run by a cabal of billionaire international bankers. Its government is a sponge which steals from the poor to give to the rich. Any foreign aid the US gives is intended solely to enrich the elitists. Their blind greed will doom us all.

Heather, spokane, usa

As the Chinese used to say about us, Russia today is a paper tiger. Russian economy is equivalent to a developing country if not worse, life expectancy is unbelievably low. The Russians often forget and need constant reminder; that Russia is a poor country without western economic relation.

John, Atlanta, GA

I see that its being reported out there that the US is trying to build a military base in Puti or one of the other ports in direct antagonism of Russia.

If American can't garrison a small nation like Iraq, how the hell can it take on a military heavyweight like Russia?

Empires die badly...

Ian Watson, Gillingham, United Kingdom

US, please stop brainwashing your citizens. Do you ever wonder why the US has lost credibility the world over, it is because of practicing double standards, preaching what they do not do and forbidding others to follow suit. Divert the billions to peaceful purposes and everybody will love you.

Edd Raymond, NY, US

Bad idea, Putti. The US will in that event simply erase Iran. Better make certain the mullah junta has paid all its debts to you before effectively guarnateeing that the US will nuke them.

The US is wrong about Georgia and about Nato expansion. But thecoratic iran is another matter entirely.

Alex, NYC,

At least silly to see as from Russia build the world enemy. All actions of Russia are expressed only by protection of own interests and the gos-va. The USA like to strain conditions and to achieve the interests any purposes.

Sergey, Moscow, Russia

Russian citizens were murdered in a sneak attack by Georgian military forces backed up by US support and will. Of course they responded as they did. It is a complete hypocrisy that the US is 'outraged' at the Russian response. Russia is merely defending itself from US aggression against Russia. IMO Russia has responded in a measured and steady manner to the existing threat.

Carla Kellan, Portland, USA

To Richard:
If you have been watching russian television before August 7, you would know that civilians had been evacuated from S Ossetia, Georgia before the "Georgian attack". So, get your facts straight. Though it must a bit confusing when you start listening to russians.

George, Omsk,

If they are so worried about Russia arming Cuba why do they insist on bullying Former eastern block countries to put bases and missles in? I hope they do put Missles and bases in Cuba and Venenzuala. The days of this country lying while trying to steal Natural resources are about over with.

Glen Davis, Highland, USA

Since the end of the Cold War it has become increasingly clear who the real aggressor is. NATO is effectively encircling Russia and aggressively challenging it's hegemony over the oil rich Caspian Basin. How would the US react if Russia sited defensive missles on its doorstep, in Mexico or Cuba?

Andrew, Plymouth, England

No, the "driving force behind the crisis" was not Putin but the Aug 7 surprise night-time artillery and GRAD attack by Georgian forces against Ossetian civilians. It's called mass murder, represents a war crime and is your "driving force behind the crisis".

Richard, Rome, Italy

Jerry - as an American, I'm apalled that the U.S. has refused to call a truce after the end of the cold war. Perhaps this "experiment" with democracy is nothing more than a smoke screen for world domination. Rome, my friends, Rome. Time to bring the troops, warships and our massive EGO back home.

Paul, Perkasie, USA

If the US goes away all remaining countries will be under Russian/China/Islamic rule.

James , Orange , USA

Nobody pushed Russia around in post Soviet times - although that is the state media's brainwashing message to its people.

I spent 5 months in Russia during this time with a bag of money (several '00 million euros) to distribute to needy & deserving Russian companies (including a missile factory)

Richard, Bucharest,

A lot of people here are afraid of the prospects of
1. Russia arming Iran or Cuba.
2. Russia getting more belligerent in Europe.

In the event of WWIII, the countries that would bear the brunt are in the EU and their Eastern neighbours. US can promise them all the nuclear blankets she wants.

sam onil, Lagos, Nigeria

Americans believe whatever their leaders and media tell them on TV. Talk about mind control and they don't call it the idiot box for nothing.... And by the way, its Cheney and consequently America, who has shot himself in the foot if this story is true !

John Taylor, London,

America is helping Georgia in order to destabilize Euroasia. It's a favourite long-term american game: Кosovo, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Caucasus ... Surprisingly that europeans don't understand the threat.

Eugene, Omsk, Russia

America is helping Georgia because it suits America nothing wrong with this, it has been going on for Centuries. It is only fair that Russia helps Iran and Syria.

satish parmar, Harpenden,

I am so disappointed with the Russians. I thought they had turned the right corner. - Indeed, russians prefer go straight ways whilst americans choose to plot and attack from behind- the-corner ambushes. Mind the difference between our chess and your poker.

Mariya, St.Petersburg, Russia

US Air Force Base "Israel will strike to defend FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY".
Doesnt anybody get it, especially Israel?
If you want to stop terrorism , stop being terrorists.

Douglas Fisher, Auckland, NZ

Jiriku
Dont forget that it is Georgia that has attacked sleeping people in Osetia using heavy guns and rockets, not Russians. How can you not understand that criticizing Russia (which is right), we need to stand clearly against aggression of Georgians against its own citizens. US is bullying Russi

Robert, London, UK

I think the Russians really were hoping to live at peace with the world, since the fall of communism in 1994. Unfortunately, the American wish to post missiles in Poland has seriously disillusioned the Russian view of the new world. It seems to be America, that simply will not leave things be.

Howard, Johannesburg, South Africa

Commonsense is the loser again. Isolating Russia is not a solution, neither are the under-handed and blatant mischief making policies of the boyz in the White House. The US government has a penchant for singing all the wrong tunes in all the wrong places; it is no longer the pied-piper of democracy.

PJP, Brisbane, Australia

Jerry Seattle, when will the U.S. leave not only its neighbours alone, but the whole world? What the meddling warmonger Cheney has now provoked will have far-reaching adverse consequences.

Ronald, Nicosia, Cyprus

alex: so once more especially for you: Invade a sovereign and democratic country is OK, but sending consequent humanitarian aid to the country and therefore being close to their agressor is wrong. Man, smarten up!

jirikoo, Prague, Bohemia

It is so deeply disappointing to see the world taking a step backwards.

Rokeby, barcelona, spain

The US and Russian leaders are both exhibiting such sociopath behaviors of glibness and superficial charm; their both manipulative and conning; both have a grandiose sense of self, exhibit poor behavioral controls/impulsive natures and have a seemingly total lack of remorse, shame or guilt.

Stuart, Vancouver, Canada

I love the deftness with which author Franchetti allows the EU to disappear here. The usual nice sidestep--it's all between the RF and USA. Do the Europeans not have any interest in a non-nuclear Iran? Do they think European countries should not respect each others borders? I am so disappointed with the Russians. I thought they had turned the right corner.

mark peters, pierce city, USA

If Bush says that the Vatican has weapons of mass destruction and it is intent on attacking Italy, most Americans and British citizens would believe it hands down.
US has lied the same in Iraq, Vietnam, in the war against Spain for Cuba. The same lies for centuries, the same stupid credulity.

William, Toronto, CANADA

This is just fear mongering. The article doesn't cite a source and it seems very unlikely Russia would take this route. Moscow's response to the Black Sea bulidup will be something logically connected to the Black Sea. It won't be some random destabilizing move like this article proposes.

Paul Wolf, Washington DC, US

The US are getting puppy "allies" like the EU and Georgia and building posts around Russia in order to "fight terrorism and Iran and contribute to world peace" and attack Iraq disarming them from non-existant weapons. Would' t Russia start making allies? and who's better than antiamerican Ahmadined?

Bertalan, Athens, Greece

When I covered the IAEA I heard a saying that the most expensive and technically complicated route to a nuclear bomb is starting with a power reactor. Why a pressurised water reactor in Bushehr is wrong while basically the same design offered by the US as a carrot to North. Korea was right?

Mariusz Kuklinski, London, UK

Jerry:

Don't understand "with apologies to Winston Churchill". By Winston's own admission (or Pat Buchanan's "Churchill, Hitler, and the Unneccessary War"), WWII should never have happened.

WC: There never was a war more easy to stop.." p. iv, in his book "The Emerging Storm", 1948.

Erich, Taos, NM, USA

It is hard to believe Russia would be so stupid - a nuclear Islamist power on their Southern flank would hardly help the Chechyna situation, or a future Georgian style adventure against muslim former satellites.

Ian Bannen, Oxford, UK

It's sad to see the progress made between the US and Russia over the past years go down the drain. But, like most conflicts, there is more to this then people know. I only hope the people of the USA and Russia can see past the Politics and show we can get along even if our governments can not.

Torrens, West Berlin, NJ , USA

I think it is time to consider an agreement betwen RF and US where should be written that neither US nor RF can send ships and other military stuff to the borders of each other. Otherwise WW3.

Alex, Ural, Russia

With apologies to Winston Churchill; The Russians are either at your feet or at your throat. Why do they have such a chip on their shoulder? All they have to do to get along is to leave their neighbors alone. Stop acting like punks.

Jerry, seattle , usa

Here we go again Russia and America posturing supporting who ever they like in brink man ship. But never mind as long as the little people get caught the middle.Lets give Iran nuclear technology and watch Israel bomb them watch the middle east go to war who loses ? The innocent again thats who!!!!

Chris, merthyr tydfil, UK