VOA标准英语2011--Iran-Russia Arms Dispute Damages Relatio

Iran-Russia Arms Dispute Damages Relations

Iran's decision to sue Russia in the International Court of Justice to try to force the sale of an air defense¹ system deepens the crisis in the relationship between the two countries and underlines a shift in Russia's foreign policy priorities. But analysts² say it does not necessarily spell the end of Russia-Iran cooperation.
The dispute centers on Russia's S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. Russia agreed to sell the weapons to Iran, but now says it cannot because of U.N. Security Council sanctions.
"What we're really seeing is an extraordinary downturn in Russo-Iran relations," said Russia specialist James Nixey. "They have been historically close, of course. But ultimately Russia views Iran as [being] unreliable as the West views Russia."
Nixey says Russia's leaders see relations with the West as so important that they are willing to offend Iran.
"I wouldn't read into this that Russia has discovered or re-discovered scruples³, if you like," added Nixey. "I think the fact of the matter is Russia is still willing to go against U.N. sanctions on certain issues. It's done it before, and it's done it through third parties, which it may do again. But the fact of the matter is Russia is a 'realpolitik' power like no other. And it's weighed the pros⁴ and cons⁵ of the S-300 deal and it's decided⁶ at this point, it's just not worth going through with it."
That is bad news for Iran, says Gala Riani of the security firm IHS Jane's.
"It's viewed Russia throughout this period as very important ally, not just because of a close friendship, but really because Russia is still considered in many views as being one of the superpowers, an important power for Iran to have at its side," said Riani. "It's lost, to some degree, one of its closest allies in that Russia is now complying a lot more with the Western stance."
But Iran has not given up on relations with Russia. Iran's foreign minister visited Moscow in August, and Iran has welcomed Russia's approach to restarting the international dialogue over the Iranian nuclear program.
"Actually at the moment, Iran and Russian relations are just warming again," Riani noted⁷. "Iranian officials are speaking more favorably about Russia as well, because it is not a relationship that they're willing to completely get rid of because they are still to some degree dependent on it."
Russia's decision to cancel the anti-aircraft weapons sale, and Iran's decision to sue, are clearly bad for their relationship, but there are already moves to repair it, and some analysts predict Russia may eventually try to find a way around the sanctions.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 scruples   

n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• I overcame my moral scruples. 我抛开了道德方面的顾虑。
• I'm not ashamed of my scruples about your family. They were natural. 我并未因为对你家人的顾虑而感到羞耻。这种感觉是自然而然的。 来自疯狂英语突破英语语调

4 pros   

abbr.prosecuting 起诉；prosecutor 起诉人；professionals 自由职业者；proscenium （舞台）前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 )；赞成的理由；抵偿物；交换物

参考例句：

• The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前，应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 cons   

n.欺骗，骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗，哄骗( con的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The pros and cons cancel out. 正反两种意见抵消。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We should hear all the pros and cons of the matter before we make a decision. 我们在对这事做出决定之前，应该先听取正反两方面的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。