As vividly depicted in the attached column by William Safire published in today's New York Times, Gorbachev is presently acting as the spoiler, the obstacle to the consolidation of a Commonwealth of Independent States -- a free alliance of sovereign nations explicitly designed to replace and terminate the old Soviet Union.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: "In the name of God, Go!"

At a time of economic austerity and, in some cases, recession in the West, prospects for mobilizing large-scale, taxpayer-underwritten "new money" flows for Russia (and other Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS, nations) from the United States and other Western nations will be exceedingly difficult.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Doomsday Scenario: Aspin Nomination Sets Stage For Dellums Chairmanship, Grim Tidings For Defense Community

Meeting as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the leaders spoke out in support of enhancing the role of the United Nations in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

BBC: Putin rallies divided world leaders