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The answer is extremely simple: leave talk of values for domestic consumption, and engage with Russia on basis of interests - anyway, Russia already believes that 'values' are just a hypocritical cover for 'interests', so the switch would be easy.

You would be amazed how many specialists in game theory Russia has, and how well - but honestly - they could play games with clearly defined rules. On the other hand, hearing that 'e2-e4' is disproportionate this morning but was OK yesterday once too often, might lead to the aggrieved side leaving the table and moving to another board and another game.

Russia would be really, really, loath to do so, but that's what would happen if its interests are not taken into account because European values prevent it.

by Sargon on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 03:43:30 AM EST

hearing that 'e2-e4' is disproportionate this morning but was OK yesterday

An excellent summary of our current "Russia policies"

Your advice is spot on. Thankfully, I think that "Old Europe", starting with Germany, does follow it to a good extent.

The question becomes, once again, how much Europe is made to follow the US's policies against its own interests.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 06:21:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]
"is made?"  How is Europe "is made" to blindly follow US actions so obviously to their detriment?

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 12:15:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
who seem to care more about pleasing the White House than their own citizens (but don't seem to lose enough votes because of that - or the alternatives are on the same line, as in the UK)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 01:22:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
By leaders who are purchased by the same type of self-interested, wealthy as in the US I suppose.  Same disastrous "economy" of letting others pay for what we should be insisting on paying for ourselves?

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 02:31:14 PM EST
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sorry, what is meant by e2-e4? I would like to be able to follow your conversation. Thanks.
by mimi on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 06:49:20 PM EST
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standard opening move in chess - moving a central pawn two spaces forward

It's time I got out of this game....
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 at 06:58:52 PM EST
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