Out-French The French

The Associated Press is reporting that the Russians are still not commiting to one path or the other in the UN Security Council. They still talk of the need for more inspections while giving themselves a nice, face-saving way out of having to actually veto a resolution.

In other words, the Russians and the French have now switched roles in the Seurity Council. For years the French played both sides for outsized political power, while the Soviet Union was always attempting to obstruct the US. Now Putin is playing everyone. and it looks like Russia stands to profit handsomely from his doing so.

The Russians have been playing the game from a position of power long enough to know how to profit when someone needs their support. Putin is going to milk this and is going to do his utmost to protect Russian interests. And he understands, probably better than anyone, that that will involve going along with the US.

It's so entertaining watching the French get out-Frenched.