WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Russia's military industries are said to be concerned
that an alliance with the United States could result in the loss of weapons
contracts with Arab clients.U.S. experts said Russian defense contractors have expressed objection
to the cooperation displayed by President Vladimir Putin for the U.S.-led
war in Afghanistan. The experts said the growing cooperation between Moscow
and Washington has such leading Russian defense clients, such as Iran and
Syria, concerned."The military industrial complex does not welcome the new Western
orientation," Michael McFaul, a senior associate of the Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace, told the House International Relations subcommittee
on Europe. "These companies enjoy contracts with American enemies such as
Iran and Syria and hope to develop even further relations with other
American enemies in the Middle East such as Iraq. For them, therefore, a
Russian realignment in the Middle East means fewer hard cash contracts."In testimony on Wednesday, McFaul said Russia's military industries are
strongly supported by the parliament in Moscow. Many Duma members have
expressed objections to a U.S.-Russian alliance against terrorist sponsors.
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