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Source: http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/bourtman200603020823.asp
A Russian Ruse - Putin's Invitation to Hamas
(National Review) Ilya Bourtman - Moscow's position on Hamas undercuts the strategy of U.S., European, and Israeli officials who had hoped that isolation would encourage moderation. The Russian government has sold high-end surface-to-air missiles to Syria - a rogue nation which supports Hizballah operations out of Lebanon. Of even greater danger, Russia continued construction of a nuclear reactor in Bushehr, Iran - even after Iranian President Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped out from the map of the world." As Putin remained steadfast in his refusal to recognize Hamas and Hizballah as terrorist organizations, Russian officials sought help from Israeli intelligence services in dealing with their "Chechen problem." If there is any silver-lining to Putin's invitation to Hamas, it is the exposure of Putin's true colors.