Putin is a very good leader. He is admired by most Russians. He is a nationalist and wants to use the countries resources, especially its oil, for the benefit of Russia and its people. When the Soviet Union fell apart the corporates were licking their collective lips. Russia was going to be carved up like a great big delicious "pirog" (pie) and Yeltsin was their very own running dog. It looked like it was going to work. The mafias made friends with Yeltsin and his gang and they got their way before the US corporates got stuck in. But they, and the little jackals from Britain and Japan could wait. They could bide their time. Later on Russia was going to be in for buy outs and one sided joint ventures. You name it, it was all on the cards and the western corporates were clever and patient. But along comes Putin. A public servant, with a public servant's salary, but a history in the service and defence of his country. He says, with support from the former political class
Left wing commentary from the heart and the head