I expect that the Russians, knowing we’re about to attack Iran, agitate South Ossetia to provoke an attack by the Georgian army. They can respond militarily and resolve issues that have been irritating them for years, knowing full well that there will be no significant consequences. The USA will have a very difficult time putting pressure on them when we’re in the process of attacking someone else.
What assinine garbage from the fools at the State Dept. Russia has deliberately given Iran what it needs to become a nuclear-armed power, just to cause trouble for us and the Arab oil producers. Under Putin, Russia is resurrecting all the strategic objectives of the USSR. Proxies manipulated by Russia and China are active against us all around the world, yet we treat these traditional enemies as "strategic partners" and look to them for help.
No, the Russians have not changed one bit. They only understand one language; the 2 x 4 upside the head. If they are not afraid of taking one, they are dishing it out.