OUR HELPFUL NEW FRIENDS, THE RUSSIANS - AT 7:27 A.M. ET:  From the Jerusalem Post:

For the first time, Russia and Iran will hold a joint naval maneuver in the Caspian Sea, The Iranian Mehr News Agency reported Wednesday.

A senior official in the Iranian ports authority was quoted by the report as saying that the maneuver would increase the coordination between the two countries and focus on search and rescue operations and the prevention of pollution.

COMMENT:  Although the report is officially unconfirmed, it seems unlikely that a state-controlled Iranian agency would report on Russian/Iranian plans based on rumors.  As far as search and rescue and pollution control, try to contain your laughter. 

Compare this, please, with the endless spoutings from the Obama administration to the effect that, unless Iran shows some cooperation in ending its quest for nukes, we will go to the next level - and ask for greater UN sanctions.  Wow.

Russia has veto power in the UN.  So does China.  Both have been opposed to stronger sanctions. 

We have no policy toward Iran that works in the real world.  Maybe that is intentional, maybe not.  The president has vaguely given Iran until, oh, the end of the year or so to show real progress.  What then?

July 29, 2009