[JohnGalt]

Perle on the same side with Soros and the Russian Oligarchs?

Hmmm, indeed.

Thanks for the ping.

[Sam's Army]

"Perle also criticized the campaign in Chechnya..."

I wish the article were a bit more clear on this point. Is it criticism of the policy being too weak, or too strong?

[Bon mots]

Russia should not be in the G-8 at all. But not because of how it treats businessmen. It should not be in because the G-8 is a group of the world's richest countries, which Russia is not.

Russia's GDP per capita is lower than Mexico's - even on a PPP basis, the overall Russian economy is no larger than that of say Brazil. So why didn't Mexico or Brazil get into the G-8? Because they don't have nukes?

If it's an economic entity, then economic criteria should be used to qualify entry... not the possession of nukes. Otherwise the G-8 is a group of 7 rich nations, and one cry-baby nation that was given admission to calm it's temper after losing face on the global stage.

Looks to me like it's an economic organization and a palliative for ruffled feathered nuclear-armed former superpowers.