| Russia's President Vladimir Putin has made | | | | countries also believe, when he complained |
| more harsh comments about the Bush | | | | last week about what he described as the |
| administration, accusing it of using what he | | | | almost uncontained use of U.S. military |
| calls a "nonexistent Russian threat" to get | | | | force. |
| more defense spending from Congress. | | | | |
| | | | The White House called his remarks |
| Mr. Putin said during a visit to Jordan | | | | disappointing. |
| Tuesday that the administration has used the | | | | |
| "Russian card" to address its political | | | | Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert |
| problems, including the wars in Iraq and | | | | Gates spoke to a congressional committee and |
| Afghanistan, and for the deployment of a | | | | identified Russia as a potential threat. |
| missile defense system. | | | | |
| | | | Some information for this report was provided |
| He said he only expressed what many other | | | | by AP and Reuters. |