Quietly, with almost no notice taken in the U.S. media, Russia and China have just stepped up their military cooperation to a level not seen in half a century since the end of the Korean War.
The two countries have quietly agreed to hold their most ambitious joint military exercises in modern times this fall. Interfax news agency reported late last month that the exercises would involve what it described as "Russian strategic aviation", a description that appeared to be a reference to the use of Russia's super-huge Antonov military transport planes, to rapidly deploy forces on Chinese territory.

Originally posted by rapier28
I thought the communists in Russia hate Putin, because the communist's can't win the election.

And Mauddib, Russia is not communist, Putin is not a communist, the communist party of Russia do not like Putin at all.

Gorbachev warns Putin of possible unrest
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-10 08:32

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, marking the 20th anniversary of his rise to power, warned Wednesday that Vladimir Putin could face serious unrest if he pursues painful economic policies and urged the Russian president to fire Cabinet members over unpopular benefit reforms.

Gorbachev also said Putin should beware of people in his entourage who believe the government can suppress public anger by cracking down on democracy and basic freedoms.

Speaking at a presentation of an opinion poll on attitudes to the sweeping reforms he launched after taking helm as the Soviet leader 20 years ago this week, Gorbachev said the point of his program of perestroika, or restructuring, was "more democracy, more socialism."

"And now I sense an odor that says that soon in our government ... there will appear slogans such as less democracy, fewer social programs," he said.