Gregory Feifer and Brian Whitmore have published a much-awaited (at least for us) investigative report in the New Republic looking into Russia’s ambitious nuclear diplomacy and foreign policy with the Czech Republic, which has been producing some dramatic developments under the radar.  With Washington’s head in the sand, is it too late to repair the relationship and compete with Russia’s courtship?

Jiri Kominek, an analyst with the Jamestown Foundation, says Moscow is putting “unprecedented”  lobbying pressure on the Czech government, and Klaus has already endorsed Atomstroyexport, although he has no formal role in the process. Vice President Joe Biden advocated for Westinghouse when he visited Prague last winter, but pro-Western politicians in Prague say the United States has been slow to grasp Temelin’s significance. (The American embassy in Prague and officials in Washington declined interview requests.) “I don’t think they care a bloody damn about us,” said Schwarzenberg. (…)