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