If I may propose a somewhat heretical solution, why don't we just cut a deal with the Brits: They get in on the long-term stuff on the cheap without having to pay upfront for the services already rendered (although they of course will have to pay for the continued maintenance and expansion to cover their own needs). In exchange, they STFU about Russia and let the competent professionals deal with them, and generally start behaving like responsible adults.

I mean, if they keep this crap up they might end up doing irrepairable damage to European interests in Russia and the Caucasus. Surely even quite a steep price would be worth it to shut them up? The fact that London might freeze over would be small consolation if the stupid gits did manage to restart the Cold War...

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.