""We saw similar actions during the Cold War but, frankly, thought they had been put behind us," Miliband said, adding that he was angry and dismayed at what had happened."

Those were the words of a member of the British Council as defeat was accepted in the desire to keep two Russian offices open. Staff of the offices were repeatedly harassed in a manner that was similar to the old police state of the USSR. (You can read more about the incident in clearer detail at the Moscow Times) One thing to keep in mind, if the British officials close their offices they can always return home. For those who are residents of Russia there is no where to go when such tactics spread. Therein lies the problem with displaying national pride through police actions. Eventually, such actions have an unfortunate tendency to turn inwards.