In America we call it the almighty dollar and The Almighty figures prominently in all our international transactions. In Russia they refer to their currency as the righteous ruble but in certain international transactions, the word righteous has absolutely no place. Particularly when it comes to, ahem, dual—use technology and arm sales. Today's BBC reports: Russia plans to sell Tehran 29 TOR M1 mobile surface—to—air missile defense systems in a deal said to be worth about US $700 million (£392m). Maybe it's the just the exchange rates. $700 million dollars equals $19,250 million rubles. Maybe someone needs to explain to them that just because the numbers are bigger, that doesn't mean their profits are "bigger." By the way Mr. Putin, have you already forgotten about Beslan? Money may buy you a seat at the game table today but I promise you, tomorrow...all bets are off.  Joe Crowley    4 23 06(Read Full Post)