Obama and Putin: So Far, So Good

Exactly where it began one could argue over (Obama's campaign? Russia's economic and political troubles? The recent gas row with Ukraine?), but last week there was the news that Russia would help NATO find new ways into Afghanistan (other than Pakistan). Then, in their first telephone conversation, Obama tells president Medvedev that he's in no hurry to install Bush's planned anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Yesterday, Moscow answered by saying that for its part it's in no hurry to put new missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave between Poland and Lithuania. Also yesterday, Putin said we're all in the financial-economic crisis together. Are these preliminary exchanges leading up to more serious talks about cooperation against Iran? Regardless, it could be seen as Russia signalling (and Obama understanding) that we can do business, if we can just give each other things we need and meanwhile shut up about stuff like human rights. It's awfully early, but so far, so good.