KGB/SVR Poisoned Yushchenko?

So much for "looking into the soul" of Putin.

Seems like the Cold War is on again, doesn't it?

I don't want to take too cheap a shot on Pat Buchanan, but he did, after all, defend Russia's behavior here, and accuse the US in meddling in Ukrainian politics. I await his retraction. Or perhaps his defense of Russia's use of poisoning as a political tactic.

Update: All About Dioxin A run-down of the symptoms of dioxin poisoning.

PS, mainstream media: most bloggers know the correct rules of usage for "affect" and "effect." You shouldn't, for example, write--

What Are Dioxins and What Is Their Affect?

right in your headline, unless your article is about the mood and demeanor of dioxin poison.

Just sayin'. I mean, I know you guys have all the training, editors, safe-guards, and layer upon layer of fact-checking, and I know that of course you get "most of this stuff right."

Still. It's called Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Splurge and invest the $5.95 necessary to pick yourself up a copy.

Bush Administration Undertaking "Broad Review" of Its Russia Policy: Seems like former Undersecretary for Russia Condi Rice is the perfect person Secretary of State for these dangerous times:

For the past four years, the administration muted its criticism of Russia's approach to democratic values as Washington tried to build a "strategic partnership" with Moscow to fight terrorism and weapons proliferation.

But the Bush team's approach has faced growing doubts, including from some within the administration.

Now in his second term, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has reduced press freedom and cracked down on political opponents at home while working against pro-Western forces in neighboring countries such as Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Questions about U.S. policy have gained a new urgency in the past three weeks, as the United States and Russia have sparred over the presidential election in Ukraine. Washington and the European Union rejected the results as rigged, and after public protests, the matter went to the country's Supreme Court, which overturned the victory of the candidate favored by Moscow.

The outcome appears to suggest that a more aggressive U.S. policy may aid democratic forces throughout the region.

"It is fair to say we are reassessing this relationship as we go into the new term," said a U.S. official who asked to remain unidentified.

He said a key question was whether Moscow, with its deep involvement in the Ukrainian election, had pushed the issue to a "tipping point," leading the administration to consider a more assertive approach.

posted by Ace at 02:11 PM

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