President Vladimir Putin said Monday he will give the military broader power to strike against suspected terrorists "wherever they may be" after a hostage siege at a Moscow theater ended with 118 captives dead, most from a knockout gas used by Russian authorities. In televised comments, Putin said "Russia will not ... give in to any blackmail. International terrorism is becoming more impudent, acting more cruelly. Here and there around the world threats from terrorists of the use of means comparable to weapons of mass destruction are heard," Putin said at a meeting with government ministers. "If anyone even tries to use such means in relation to our country, Russia will answer with measures adequate to the threat to the Russian Federation. In all places where the terrorists, the organizers of these crimes or their ideological or financial sponsors are located. I emphasize: wherever they may be."
I'd say he's cheesed, and justifiably so. There are powers outside his borders who are interfering inside his borders, the while standing around looking blandly innocent. If I was a Saudi prince, I'd be leaving for Monaco or Lichtenstein about now, or at least forging a Qatari or Bahraini passport...
Putin has sought to portray the Chechen conflict as a battle with international terrorists, partly to get broader support abroad.
But mostly because it's true. Where do they get these Associated Press journalists? |