ANOTHER GREAT FOREIGN POLICY SUCCESS - AT 11:46 A.M. ET:  From Reuters:

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will not agree to tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program in exchange for a new nuclear arms cuts deal with Washington, Interfax news agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying Tuesday.

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama's nuclear adviser suggested that progress on a U.S.-Russian nuclear arms pact could help persuade Moscow to be more cooperative on Iran.

"There are no reasons to link these issues or count on Russia being more cooperative in toughening sanctions against Iran if there is progress in talks with the United States on further cuts in strategic offensive weapons," the source said.

COMMENT:  Another illusion falls.  The question is whether illusions will fall fast enough to save this nation from the damage that Barack Obama's undergraduate mentality can do.  Kennedy got punched pretty badly by Khrushchev in his first year in office, but learned from it.  What has Obama, who's been punched by everyone, learned?  We may soon find out.

July 14, 2009