Russia's Response to Libyan Violence: Told You So

Nation's leaders have long argued that Western involvement in Middle East rebellions ultimately helps Islamic fundamentalists

Upon learning of the violent death of the United States ambassador to Libya on Wednesday, many Russians responded with variations on "I told you so."

Russia has long argued that the West should not support popular uprisings against dictatorships in the Middle East lest Islamic fundamentalism take hold. Vladimir V. Putin, then serving as prime minister, was especially enraged last fall after an angry crowd killed his ally, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, an event he later condemned as a "repulsive, disgusting" scene.