Bush as lame duck adds to Russia's bravado

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush's waning influence on the world stage is encouraging Russia's show of military force in neighboring Georgia and move to recognize two rebel regions there as independent states.

With less than five months left in the White House, Bush is entering the "lame duck" period of his presidency facing new foreign policy challenges from both Russia and North Korea as he continues to struggle with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The fact that it's a period of transition in the U.S. certainly makes it easier for the Russians to act provocatively," said Jeff Mankoff, adjunct fellow for Russian studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Several foreign affairs experts agree the Bush administration failed to give Russia enough attention almost from day one, and then gave contradictory signals.

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