From: "Phil Payne" 

> For the last century most people believed that "while we might from time
> to time do something stupid, that we were a force for good in the
> world," Gates said.

An implicit admission that Putin was bang on with his comments.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/16675645.htm

'"Nobody feels secure anymore because nobody can take safety behind the
stone wall of international law,' he said at an international security
conference in Munich attended by dozens of foreign and defense ministers
and other officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and a
congressional delegation."

You only need one thug to destroy the rule of law.  What amazes me is how
the current US administration maintains it is operating legally.

I note Putin is now visiting Saudi.  He already supplies Iran.  If I were
the USA, I'd be VERY careful about extending military activities there -
the area is a lot closer to Russia that it is to the USA and Putin has much
more friendly airspace.

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