Need a fake Benjamin? Try one of Putin’s guys.
Photo Illustration: Elizabeth Glassanos for FPPhotos: Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin is headed to the Bush family retreat in Maine this weekend, but his security detail has already caused a minor diplomatic snafu. The Russia equivalent of the secret service arrived in the United States a few days early to get a lay of ...
Photo Illustration: Elizabeth Glassanos for FP
Photos: Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin is headed to the Bush family retreat in Maine this weekend, but his security detail has already caused a minor diplomatic snafu. The Russia equivalent of the secret service arrived in the United States a few days early to get a lay of the land, and they're staying in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just down the pike from Kennebunkport. Last night, a few of them walked into a Portsmouth liquor store and tried to buy a few bottles of whiskey with a phony $100 bill. After the liquor store owner called the cops, diplomatic immunity was reportedly invoked.
First, it's too bad the guys didn't just go down the road to the restaurant offering "Hootin Putin" cocktails in honor of the visit. Perhaps those guys wouldn't have detected the bum cash they're trying to pass around. And second, frankly I'm suspicious that these guys weren't set up. I mean, it seems so implausible: two bottles of whiskey for five Russians? Tell me that doesn't have the makings of a frame job.
Photo Illustration: Elizabeth Glassanos for FP
Photos: Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin is headed to the Bush family retreat in Maine this weekend, but his security detail has already caused a minor diplomatic snafu. The Russia equivalent of the secret service arrived in the United States a few days early to get a lay of the land, and they’re staying in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just down the pike from Kennebunkport. Last night, a few of them walked into a Portsmouth liquor store and tried to buy a few bottles of whiskey with a phony $100 bill. After the liquor store owner called the cops, diplomatic immunity was reportedly invoked.
First, it’s too bad the guys didn’t just go down the road to the restaurant offering “Hootin Putin” cocktails in honor of the visit. Perhaps those guys wouldn’t have detected the bum cash they’re trying to pass around. And second, frankly I’m suspicious that these guys weren’t set up. I mean, it seems so implausible: two bottles of whiskey for five Russians? Tell me that doesn’t have the makings of a frame job.
More from Foreign Policy


Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.


So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.


Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.


Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.