In June 2001, we predicted in UPI Analysis, "Expect Russia's strategic alliance with China, which has been growing at a galloping rate over the past 2 ½ years since the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, to harden and expand ....
"Expect the flow of Russian arms, missiles and nuclear technology to Iran to increase, and Russia's support of Syria and Iraq to grow as they become increasingly bold in threatening Israel and challenging U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Apparently, it sounded different in French. Somehow, to American ears, it always does.