> That is true. They have great leverage over Europe in
> Europe's natural gas dependency. And there's a larger
> framework, involving China and the oil-rich Caucasus
> nations (I cant remember the formal name of this
> recently formed "cooperative" alliance.) Beyond that
> Putin is reaching out toward nations like Brazil (the
> BRICS group) and Venezuela.
>
> The US is exploring its own counter alliance with
> Japan, Australia and India. In general, the US seems
> to be improvising hastily, after distracting itself
> with Iraq and taking its eye off the larger
> geo-political stage.
>
> The danger is that if the US sees itself being hemmed
> in, it could escalate its current military response.
>
===============
With what, video gamers playing halo3?
Ian