November 16, 2009: Earlier this year, Russian president Dmitri Medvedev agreed to allow U.S. aircraft to deliver cargo (including weapons) via Russian air space, to Afghanistan, and not pay the usual navigation fees. But the flights have not begun (except one let through for PR purposes) because the Russian agency that collects navigation fees for foreign aircraft using Russian air space, insists on charging the American aircraft.

This brings to mind what Russian Czar Nicholas I said over 150 years ago, about the extent of his powers; "I do not rule Russia. 10,000 clerks do."