Russia's Message From The North Pole: We're A Force To Be Reckoned With

Like the icebreaker that plowed through the Arctic ice as part of the effort, Russia has again barreled through diplomatic niceties to send the latest installment of the Kremlin's message to the world: We're a force to be reckoned with again. By turns nationalistic, belligerent and defensive, Russian officials — from President Vladimir Putin on down — have in recent years planted symbolic flags in a series of international disputes. From Middle East peacemaking to U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe to oil and gas supplies for Europe, Moscow is seeking to reclaim much of the clout — or at least some of the swagger — that it enjoyed when it was the capital of the Soviet empire. In the process, it has served notice that it will not be taken for granted and will protect its interests, not only in traditional spheres of influence, the former Soviet republics, but further afield or at sea. Or underwater. http://www.iht.com:80/articles/ap/2007/08/07/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Arctic-Grab.php [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on August 9, 2007]

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