[nky]

A show of force is especially important ahead of the presidential election in March when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has taken a hawkish stance in the past, is poised to return to the Kremlin, Bartenev said.
Theodor Karasik, senior analyst at the Enigma think tank in Dubai, said the Russian position might harden as the March election approaches, but the Kremlin would continue to seek a diplomatic solution. "Moscow is likely to play middleman, trying to find a diplomatic solution while continuing to reject any more sanctions against Iran," he said.
The analysts said the possibility of a military operation against Iran remains faint at best.
With the hints of airstrikes, Israel is actually pushing the international community into implementing sanctions to avoid the attacks, Bartenev said.
Russia would not back war, despite speculation that it stands to benefit if oil prices top $200 per barrel as expected in a military conflict in the region, he said.
Ensuing instability in the Middle East would outweigh any economic benefits, a fact well understood by the Russian leadership, Bartenev added.
Karasik, however, said Moscow might benefit from a conflict. "Russia would obviously act as the voice of sanity during the ensuing carnage and come out ahead in the Middle East without firing a shot," he said.


Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/artic...z1dP2VNmmL
The Moscow Times


That was the last few paragraphs of the story. It's an interesting take on the part of the Russians