...
On Wednesday, the White House praised Russia for deciding against a sale of antiaircraft missiles to Iran, saying Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had "shown leadership in holding Iran accountable for its actions, from start to finish."
Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a research organization that advocates tough sanctions, said Russia has been playing a "double game, voicing a kind of tepid support" for the Western effort, even while continuing to build economic ties with Tehran.
He said that a U.N. resolution from this group would be a "shot across the bow" of the U.S. and its allies.
Dubowitz said that Russia and China have done little to enforce any of the sanctions, and that major Russian and Chinese companies continue to pursue business with Iran as Western companies pull back to avoid being punished.
China has been "even more active in the energy sector, scooping up deals left by others," he said.
Dubowitz said that Robert Einhorn, the senior State Department official responsible for organizing international enforcement of the sanctions, has yet to meet top Chinese officials although he sought a meeting more than a month ago. U.S. officials say it is a scheduling problem; Dubowitz said it reflects Chinese resistance.
...
Read the full article here