But what is equally clear is that the US wants to keep its involvement at arm's length, refusing to provide weapons directly and keeping a low-profile.

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The more uncertainty there is, the more each woman is likely to keep the other at arm's length.

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"There was a very concerted attempt not to play this game, to keep the media at arm's length, " he told BBC Two's Newsnight.

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Mysteriously, however, and to a degree that truly suggests perversity, Mr. Soderbergh seems to have done everything within his power to keep the audience at arm's length.

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The home side pushed forward at the start of the second half, but Stephen Craigan blocked well from Kevin Nicoll and Motherwell proceeded to keep their Third Division opponents at arm's length without looking entirely convincing.

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