vladimir putin

Vladimir Putin continues to consolidate power…

From TNR:

If any proof were needed that the Russian political system operates in its own time-space continuum, it came this morning, when the parliament decided to deal with the country’s economic meltdown by amending its constitution.

With him we get a president with the political intelligence of a Bill Clinton harnessed to the steely self-discipline of a Vladimir Putin.

(I say this admiringly.) With these qualities, Obama will now bestride the political stage as largely as did Reagan.
- Charles Krauthammer in his column today about the President Elect.

I’ve been incorrectly saying “Ossetians” so I’ll use the correct verbiage from here on out.

This little factoid comes from the Times Online, which provides a very good timeline of what has gone down in the past, and sums it up as such…

Vladimir Putin promises to rein in inflation and boost social spending in his new job as Russia's prime minister.

As Russia swears in a new president, observers question whether the leader, Vladimir Putin's successor, will have real power to chart his own course for the country.

He takes over a nation with a booming oil economy, and many serious problems.

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As Russia prepares for a transition of power to a new president, many Americans dismiss Dmitry Medvedev as simply a front-man for Vladimir Putin.

But Medvedev, a former oil chief, will likely use Russia's leverage in the energy sector to forge closer ties to China and Europe.

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Russia's President Vladimir Putin is holding on to power after he steps down from office in May. He announced Tuesday that he will become chairman of Russia's largest political party in addition to becoming prime minister.

NPR's Gregory Feifer reports from Moscow.

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