What's that cloud of dust on the horizon?

From The Washington Times:

MOSCOW -- Russia said yesterday it had promised emergency aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, breaking with the European Union and the United States, which have stopped funding to try to force Hamas to recognize Israel.

The Foreign Ministry said the offer came in a telephone conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Look for more indications of a growing alliance between Russia and various Middle Eastern regimes in the future. The end of communism did not work out as well for Russia as it has for most of Eastern Europe. By courting alliance with oil rich Islamic states they believe that they are getting ahead of history.