"Are you guys nuts?"
They are not nuts. They just have been brainwashed by russian TV. That's all. Yes, they only talk about how Putin is great and how West is bad. Nice, isn't it?

Dmitri, Pudozh, Russia

Not only public opinion is manipulated in Russia. It's not just state control over media, imprisoning of political opponents starting with Khodorkovsky and Trepashkin. The regime does not stop at denying the right to free speech and assembly.

Under Putin, Russian government bodies started confining "non-agreeing" people to psychiatric institutions (Larisa Arap, Alexander Novikov), killing in the light of the day (Politkovskaya, Litvinenko and many journalists and business people), in the militia cells.

The latest case of aggravated assault on Natalia Petrova, a documentary film maker living in Kazan, speaks for itself. Militia broke into her apartment and beat her, her children, her elderly mother.

At the same time 4 bureaucrats related to cultural institutions published an appeal to Putin to remain for the 3rd term, on behalf of "65000 workers of culture". Many disagreed, but the government newspaper did not print a refutation.

Ilguiz Latypov, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Putin, Russian power, "russophobic propaganda", "bad news for the western".....Are you guys nuts?

V, Sydney, Au

Let's not criticize Putin, America is doing it. Look at the Bush family, thru coersion and tactic the whole family is into politics enjoing the foundation laid by the grandfather Bush. Two of the grand sns were governers, and one of them turned to be president, his father was a vice president and then president. Look at the Clintons, Bill Clinton was the one that inturrupted the Bushs dianasty in 1992. Bill Clinton was a president for two terms, his connection left within the democractic party is laying the foundation for his wife to be the first ever female president of the United States. So lets not blame Russia's Putin. Infact he is not involving his family members, he was picked from the most unlikely crowd and he transformed Russia as we all are seeing he today, playing major role in the international politacal arena. Putin is a peaceful man who has done so well for Russia, if he did not come as he did, Russia would have been the bonanza for ten billionaires who were raping her.

James, Toronto, Canada

Sometimes it is so distressing to find out that the neighbours naughty son,the one who was getting bad grades in school and writing on your fence,that ugly little creature you were mocking at during your wonderful ,best in class child's birthday parties,is your son's manager already & soon will be your boss.But this is life.It just happens.

gedos, nyc,

It was nice to learn that at least some of the europeans don't believe ridiculous russophobic propaganda. It was even nicer to find them more intelligent than their opponents.

I know we aren't perfect but who is? European nations? May be. But surely not America corrupted by absolute power in the 90s and craving for global domination now.

Nikolay, Moscow, Russia

I've been 10 times in Moscow, for a total of more than 12 months . I've read russian press, seen russian TV an internet sites (in russian language) and lived with russian normal people . I've seen very outspoken transmissions on what does not work in Russia (of course there IS something that does not work . What about USA ?), and read critics about Putin's and govermnment's policy on normal gazettes (not on underground "samisdat"s spreaded around at night by heroics partisans) . That is, those who say that Putin is Stalin II, and Russia is a dictatorship, have smoked something not so legal . Yes, Putin has managed to control the most of national TV and media (mostly in a very western way: helping or getting friends to buy them), but those who think that before him the TV and the media were free, clean and sincere should study VERY better that period (same thing about corruption, be sure...) . And don't bet on the oil and gas price fall: China is always there, and is madly thirsty...

Leonard, Alghero, Italy

Putin made the west a greal favour by stabilizing Russia. Do you think that the Yeltsin era situation, i.e. russias national resources stolen be so called market reforms - I can not understand how these were bought by Russians in the first place since prior to 1991 noone could have a private property - would be stable and peaceful for a long time more?
Regarding democrary, yeah its very suitable to use this word as an excuse - Putin in any case did not blatanlty violated his consitution - Bush has done.

GRq, re, re

Ah, President Putin has made the trains run on time... where have we heard this one before?

S.M. Stirling, Santa Fe, NM

I'm not sure what people are talking about. President Clinton put a great deal of time and effort to working with Russia. A difficult transition turned out to be, er, difficult? Who is to say that Putin is not the beneficiary of earlier economic decisions, such as the devaluation of the ruble, that were difficult to make (and which he had nothing to do with)?

No one in the west has anything to fear from a economically strengthening Russia. People in Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, among other places, might have something to worry about when a large state with a large military and nuclear weapons devotes 15 minutes or more of the nightly news on a daily basis to whipping up hatred of its neighbors for supposed "slights of honor".

Norman Stone may wish someday he had picked a better hero. And people of Britain may learn again what it means to support a "progressive" leader who denies any limitations on his power.

GermanyTH, Garmisch, Germany

I know, strong Russia (just economically strong) is bad news for many in the west, and even in Russia itself. When Russia was falling apart, when it was looted by the oligarchs and governed by the 'family" of Yelstin, who actually ordered tanks to fire on the parlament, that was a real democracy, the democracy the west wanted to be in Russia. But when the economy is growing 7% a year, when the war in Chechnya is ending, when life in Russia is generally imroving, this is the time to start worrying about poor Russian democracy.

I understand your sentiments very well, my dear westerners.

pressreader, Zasranks, Russia

people who's phones, emails, and bank records are being monitored by their own government need to lay off criticizing other democracies - thats the russian way of looking at things

Denis, Texas,

Vladimir Putin is a true blessing for us, Russians. It's hard to find extremely smart ambious modern man who truly cares about his country and its people - and also capable to be a great leader and organizor. We are really proud of our president and the worst thing would be if he leaves the poltics. Back in 2000 when he was obscure and little known, it was enough to read his first book to see his line of thought, to see that he was the best man for the job, that he will go in the right direction and will give Russia a chance to realize itself.

Some point at the oil revenues as a driver behind Russia's resurgence. Don't believe. Has it been Yeltsin, the newfound wealth would've been a source of super income to those few oligarchs who plagues Russia in the 1990's. Oil revenues by itself would NOT have made such difference - there is not a slightest doubt about it. Though, I have to admit - Russia still has a lot of problems, but they will work itself out if we go Putin's way.

Alexey Makarov, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Putin is a man who will have to impose democracy, with undemocratic means; as opposed to Bush, who is trying hard to remove democracy, using democratic means. Results? Chechnya is improving, Iraq is sliding downhill. Soon, Russia will have to decide if it is to stand up to America/Israel over Iran; I hope it does, or we will have to live under Zionist abuse of privilege for ever.

H. Grattan, Johannesburg, South Africa

Stone is in the fine tradition of western observers who felt that a strong man is just what was needed to sort out Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia etc, you cant make an omlette without breakign eggs, doemcracy isnt what these people want anyway etc.

Then you read Eugenia Ginzburg or others who stood up to tyranny and died for it and realise what shabby, third rate people Stoen and others are.

julia, london,

It seems that Mr. Stone has not got a slit idea of what he is writing about. I personally invite him to come so he can see for himself the other side of the story.

Anton Ponomarev, Moscow, Russia

It is two different parts: Putin as a klever politic and 3rd term of his presidency. Konsitution should be untouched, because it is impossible to change it every time with new figure on political arena! He made some visible for mass media "right things", OK! But how about, if there is rising up the fact of total control for mass media, nonprofit organization, political opposition in the country? I think, you Mr. Stone would be very unhappy to live in this sort of "democracy" by self, but why you make this sort of recommendation for Russian people? Your abstract will used for propaganda in Russia as well, congratulations!
For Russian/American: Actually for everybody is clear, that US Air force stopped riding bombers close to Russia borders long time ago, but Russian (even Russian/American) still remains in illusions of it.

Russian American, Loisville, USA

I agree for putin being re-elected , as long as he oust belarus president ( lukashenko ) from power

franco perino , sassari , italy

I'm genuinely curious here, but how many Russians are there living outside of the cities, in villages with no access to external media or the internet? And what are their opinions of Putin and the 'New Russia'?
Just a thought...

Elliott, Cheltenham,

FromNorth to West, Putin is the Best/

anton, Karelia, Russia

Russian American from Boston, you are as uninformed as Putin, the USA unilaterally stopped such flights in 1991, Russia then followed suit (because they could not afford it) in 1992. Yet you like Putin are either 1) stupid/uninformed or 2) simply liars - the second is more likely regarding Putin anyway.

The next time a Russia plane passes into NATO airspace the plane should be shot down and pilot jailed or executed, such acts of war should not be tolerated, from this fascist regime.

Alex, London,

Hate to say this, but our president leads my country to disaster.
Rather than rescued Russia from anything. I live in Russia so I can tell you. Nothing here really changed.

Dmitri, Pudozh, Russia

Good article, nice to see some praise for positive developments of a NEWLY INDEPENDENT Russia and it's President. Even more interesting to see comments likening Russia to Hitler's Germany, well I'm going to play devil's advocate - let's switch roles here:
Molotov-Ribbentrop pact of non-aggression will be a starting point - 3rd reich (USA) and its pals Mussolini (UK) and Franco (France) (or reverse the pals) - we wont attck if you wont, but (as in 1939-41), however we will amass military forces along the border (air defense system in Poland, Czech Rep.). Well everybody remembers what happened in June 1941, at least the Russians do.

Well does the shoe fit?

Pablo, Hillsboro, Oregon/USA

Putin did not help Russia- oil's price did. In the contrary Putin slows down Russia's progress by killing free media, business and political parties. If Putin politics will continue and oil's price will drop western people will get the country which has nothing except the nuke. And nobody could be shure that goverment will not use nuke terror against westerns to get food for starving russian people.

Naida, San Francisco, USA

Kryuchkova from Russia: You would believe wholeheartedly in Michael Moore's 9/11 - it is exactly the kind of propaganda your country was so famous for for so long. Too bad you are still falling for simplistic conspiratorial images. All democracies are complicated and certainly not pure - any power tends to corrupt - but I'll take ours any day over Putin's ideas of progress. We'll see what happens when the price of oil and gas fall.

Phillip, NY, NY

Russia is ruled by successive despots because Russians are more desirous of respect than liberty. Perhaps the fundamental problem is that most have never been outside Russia. They do not know what can really be achieved in a free society. Their yardstick of freedom and prosperity is only one inch long but they do not know it, as they have never seen a real yardstick. Sadly, their current "prosperity" is being wasted, and, due to a lack of reinvestment in energy resources, and the EU's a growing distrust of their commercial reliability, they risk returning to a contracting economic picture. The classic Russian response will be, "it is all "their" fault for not respecting and trusting us, they just want to control the world" A convenient rationalization that their government is happy to perpetuate. The iron curtain is slowly lowering again, the chance for global reconciliation,slipping away. Mr. Putin will end Russian liberty once and for all. A great loss for everyone.

Harry T, Wilton, USA,

I hate to say it, but Putin's Russia is much more attractive than Bush's America;
Every decent country needs a decent leader; there is not even one in sight in U.S.
Allas!

R.K., Los Angeles, Amexica

It is said that the average human is quite stupid, hence I wonder where that lives Professor Stone - the original non-thinking man's thinking man and the various other Putin / Russian apologists? Surely, the greatness of a man or a nation is not judged by how many friends he has or how popular his policies are! Those complex little matters are usually judged by history, hence it is far too early to give Putin and his Russia any excessive pats on the back for a job well done. Let's just wait and see what happens next when the price of oil and gas drops to a precipitous bottom; or God forbid, Russia gets too big and cocky for its boots and then we'll see exactly what happens then. Until then, the jury is still out but we shall all be watching the grand drama unfold sketch by sketch. I just hope our Russian friends don't get carried away or become desperate when the proverbial dust settles.

George Frederick, London, UK

"I have seen the future and it works" - great words from a Western apologist for the coming Stalinist dictatorship, and now Europe's intelligentsia is singing the same song, betraying the same lack of historical memory. Well, at least Prof. Stone came close to the mark, comparing 1990's Russia with 1920's Weimar Germany. He just didn't take the analogy far enough. That said, I am a huge admirer of Pres. Putin, personally, as well as for his success in helping to revive Russia, the more particularly as we Americans have had to deal with the opposite result from our own "leadership". How much better, however, for everyone, if, in addition to a strengthened and revived Russia, Pres. Putin also left a legacy of genuine democracy? After all, we know, all too well, what happens when competent leadership turns into a cult of personality and it takes little imagination to foresee Russia's future if present political trends continue.

Henry Plouse, Medford, Oregon, USA

It IS true that we don't have real democracy in Russia these days, public opinion is constantly manipulated. (But do you have real democracy in the USA? After the Michael Moore's film about 911 I would't easily believe in that.)
On the other hand, the situation in Russia before Putin was disastrous, as many of comments here are saying. Young generation dreamed about leaving Russia. If Putin can stop this and give us possibility to live better - my opinion, let him do what he's doing now.
I think people in the West should assume that Russia can just have its own way.

Kryuchkova, Saratov, Russia

Yipeeeee for Putin and Russia, the land of plenty ....seriously I think he should just stay in power if the people wants him there, who are we - us Americans - dictating what form of democracy or pseudo democracy is acceptable? For the past, let's say 24 years, we have seen either a Bush or a Clinton in DC realm of power..in any sense of the word, I call that a monarchy. I say to all Russians : go for it re-elect him and enjoy your life!!!

Roy, New York, US

I think one can still reasonably employ one s general impression of a personality on the world stage despite the rise of image makers and IT capabilities. It is a good way of anchoring an assessment in an age of disinformation. In that respect I do get the impression that President Putin is interested in Russian success. He wouldn t seem to have a pyramid of cronies to assuage, memoirs to consider, or his future on the lecture circuit, and he wouldn t seem to be too sensitive to his level of popularity. These points would tend to irritate an American, and the criticism he gets from those quarters is probably another bonus point.

Henry Percy, London, UK

All of the talk about sending bombers need a clarification. First, the bombers are equipped with training/mock weapons. They do not send planes with real N-bombs. Second, the fact that US has never stopped doing the same exact thing (or maybe with real N-bombs?) is NOT mentioned anywhere. Why all such comments are so one-sided?

Russian/American, Boston, USA

If you focus on the results... then I don't understand how you can omit things such as widespread corruption in the country, for example. Russia has been ranked among the most corrupt nations of the world and while for most Russians it's just the way they are used to living, for Russia itself it's a terrible thing which leads to inefficiency in the economy and social life. I have worked for a big chemical company in Russia and let me tell you - best contract is with the government. One bribe and your prices skyrocket, because you're the only supplier for them. Just an example.
Freedom of speech? Do we even have to discuss this? I think it's pretty evident with all major TV and newspapers being "censored" by the governement.
You say Putin made Russia stronger, I believe he slowed down the progress immensly, by promoting corruption and creating a very inefficient goverment where he is the only man that can do something, while the rest of the goverment is too busy taking bribes.

Oleg, Ryazan, Russia

The Europeans and Americans can never see Russia emerging as a strong power. When Americans cant respect democracy in other countries they do not have right to point finger at others. All the journalists of the American and European origin seem to think that their notion of democracy and human rights is correct. But when their own government make these mistakes they dont write article in this manner. American support for Saddam Hussein, and other dictators is well know and now they call Putin as dictator through their copy cat media.

Sharath , Bangalore, India

Trayan,

"Hitler really deserves the credit.Hi is the most popular leader in Germany and abroad.Germany is ascending under Hitler.Great leader for great country."

It was quite a common view in 1930's Europe & US.

You could also use Stalin/Russia & Mussolini/Italy

Alan, edinburgh,

Russia is a strong country and it will only get stronger! Unfortunately it is not to everyone's taste! I am rather tired of the way the Western news are portraying Russia. The views are VERY bias. There is hardly any Russian point of view on any of the subjects in the press recently. The West has to understand that none of the coutries there ever encontered what Russian people have come across. And I respect that it is very difficult for the West to understand why is Russia doing what's it doing. But we are doing well! Indeed come to Russia. Visit us and enjoy!

Maria, Moscow, Russia

I am just curious - will someone who hates Putin tell us just what Russian governments should actually DO?

Give us a few policies Russia might follow which might reverse its decline - since you hold that Putin has failed to achieve that?

Go on, please !

Ganpat Ram, London,

English guys,
Do not belive that Putin restricts rights or freedom of speech or anything like that. This is ugly propaganda of those who want Russia to be totally under control of US.
Dont think that millions of Russians who support Putin understand less than you do.
Putin is wise and democratic politic.

bulava, St.Petersburg, Russia

Again and again I see the article in the US/UK/EU medias that justifies Putin and his regime. These articles expose only positive issues but not the negative ones. It make me think that it was paid by somebody - like it was in sixties and seventies. KGB spent a great deal of money for it. Am I too pessimistic?

Jseven777, Moscow, Russian Federation

He's their Reagan.

charles, detroit,

Russia is not going back to USSR. Lugovoi has nothing to do with Kremlin, Litvinenko never was a spy. Politkovskaya has nothing to do with truth and justice.

Guys, you are cheated by your newspapers and TV. Come to Russia and enjoy its freedom of life, share its coming prosperity.

In Russia we have websites sponsored by Russian government with translation of all western articles about Russia. These are the most popular websites. We enjoy reading all the false published about us.

And how often does your government present russian point of view on political events?

Maxim Belyanin, Moscow, Russia

Very-very interesting controversial point of view.
Should one agree with the growth of this (or any other) country's power by means of lives of people? By means of cutting people's right for free speech? By means of turning population against all the outside world? Should we close our eyes to the point that Putin is chosen by millions because they were not shown any other choice? Because they are heavily blinded and all active leaders are suppressed in media and public life?
Yes, Russia is wealthier then before Putin.
No, if you /at least by a bit/ remember Soviet Union, you won't vote for Putin's Russia.

Ganna Portyankina, Bern/Kyiv, Switzerland/Ukraine

Mr Timothy Naegele's criticism of Professor Stone's view of Putin's Russia contains all the huffing and puffing coupled with excruciating lack of self-confidence that one might expect from an ill-informed American with his head buried in the past. The diatribe belittles the author by questioning Professor Stone's personal integrity. Its comparison of Putin to the mass-murderer Joseph Stalin is ignorant and puerile but, most of all, deeply insulting to the millions of Russians who died at Stalin's hands. Mr Naegele needs to decide whether he is afraid of Russians or not. If the former, does he propose to nuke 'em? If the latter, one would hope that he would wish to focus his energies on trying to engage constructively with a country with an infinitely richer culture and history than his own. He might also show a little respect to the large majority of Russians who would freely vote for Putin tomorrow if an election were called.

Patrick Robertson, Zurich, Switzerland

Incredible article and comments - what about murder on the streets of London, imprisonment of political opponents and state control of media? Putin may have strengthened Russia temporarily on the back of high oil and gas prices but his destruction of its fledgling democracy will lead to greater damage in the future.

MDHinton, sieradz, Poland

Putin really deserves the credit.Hi is the most popular leader in Russia and abroad.Russia is ascending under Putin.Great leader for great country.I agree with Alon Kochavi.

Trayan, Auckland, New Zealand

Great article, one correction: the new Russian aircraft, Superjet 100, is a mid-range plane and competes against Embraer and Bombardier. Taking on Boeing and Airbus will have to wait a few years.

Some of the comments below though are hilarious:

"Putin may have his good points but he is no Gorbachev!
Andrew Wood, lecanto, Fl" - Andrew, that's EXACTLY what makes him a good president. Gorbachev was a disaster for the Russian people.

"It would be interesting to check Norman Stone's bona fides to determine when and exactly how he will benefiting personally from the rosy, star-gazing view that he has fashioned of that great Western democrat, Vladimir Putin. Timothy D. Naegele, Malibu, California/USA" - while you are at it, why don't you check the bona fides of those numerous journalists / academics who take every opportunity to slate Russia and her leadership. Perhaps it's they who have an axe to grind?

Michael, Dubai,

Malibu - a known place of objective reality, democracy at its best and indeed... sand. Thimothy must know all about putting his head in and out of it.

Must be the heat that pointed his interests towards Russia.

And of course, a profit motive as a reason for cudos to Putin - or, perhaps, a profit as a motive for a Russophobe?

I agree with Norman 100% - Russia is ascending and the Russophobes are speechless.

Mikhail Drabkin, San Mateo, CA, USA

Tim from Malibu talks of Russian poulation decline, but surely what has been happening is that the average russians financial situation has been such that children have been unaffordable. How sensible is that. Something you don't see here in the UK.
Now as we see the Russian economy is picking up I would suggest that as the average Russian becomes wealthier and more financially secure you will see the population rise. How sensible is that.
Putin is perhaps the most popular democratic leader in the world and has not as yet started his own political dynasty like the Bushes (or the Kennedys)

Steve Byrne, Christchurch, UK

It would be interesting to check Norman Stone's bona fides to determine when and exactly how he will benefiting personally from the rosy, star-gazing view that he has fashioned of that great Western democrat, Vladimir Putin. Surely there was method to his madness; it cannot be altruistic.

As Putin was assuming power, I was told in Washington that he would become a modern day, smoother Joseph Stalin, and so far he has been living up to that expectation. Not only are term limits going by the boards—which Stone seems to think are merely constitutional gibberish anyway—but Putin has seized control and throttled most democratic organs, and set in motion increasingly despotic practices.

Also, he is in the process of trying to reignite Cold War military adventurism, as only a KGB puppeteer could do in a country that tasted true democracy very briefly before it was stamped unacceptable. He has accused the U.S. and NATO of threatening his country; and Stone whitewashes Putin’s scorched-earth campaign in Chechnya. As Max Boot wrote in the Los Angeles Times on February 14th:

“Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Kremlin has gone from ruling 293 million people (not counting Eastern Europe) to 143 million, fewer than Bangladesh. Given Russia's low birth rate and life expectancy (on average, men die at 60), its population is projected to fall to just 109 million by 2050, making it about the same size as Vietnam.

“The once-mighty Red Army has been reduced to a shell of its Cold War self, falling from 5.2 million soldiers in 1988 to 1 million, most of whom have terrible morale and worse equipment. Even with oil prices high, Russia's GDP is just $763 billion, ranking No. 14 in the world, ahead of Australia but behind Mexico, according to the World Bank.”

Stone needs to get his head out of the sand, and stop currying favor with the Russians.

Timothy D. Naegele, Malibu, California/USA

As PM he wont last long. No Russian president, not even a Zubkov, is going to tolerate a uppity PM. Yeltsin never did, Putin never did and Zubkov wont. If he really pushes for the PM job he will be unpleasantly surprised. Putin wants a Duma seat to avoid prosecution, that I can understand, but the PM job is wishful thinking in his part. PM's in Russia are blamed for every failing of the president. Putin wont be able to blame Zubkov for anything and at the first crisis he will be bounced out of the Kremlin like a Fradkov, a Kasyanov, a Stepashin or a Chermomydin. PM's in Russia simply dont last long.

The constitution is working in Russia if this is all he could come up with.

There is simply no way a PM in Russia is going to have true presidential powers for long.

yuri samov, new york , US

Can't agree more with this article. A leader should be judged by the way he serves his country's best interests. And Russia's best interests are not Europe or US best interests. May be Yeltsin was not as dumb as we think; after all, he found Putin.

J.C, Calgary, Canada

This article is a breath of fresh air in a Western media climate that stifles the freedom of non-Western cultures to cope and prosper in ways that are best suited to their own particular conditions. Comparing the human rights record of Putin's Russia with Bush's United States, who is the real tyrant? Who has the bigger domestic political mandate? Bush, with his pultry popularity ratings? Or Putin with three quarters of the Russian electorate behind him?

Allan Noble, Adelaide, Australia/South Australia

A great many native British people are so dismayed at the tide of immigration and what it bodes for the future that they have decided to seek their own futures elsewhere. Most have their eyes on the U.S., Canada, Australia or New Zealand. But the time has come when they should also consider Russia. It is a country with great opportunities, and a thoroughly civilised population much more akin to them, more compatible - and better disposed - towards them than the populations of many cities in Britain.

Herbert Thornton, Victoria, Canada

One thing is clear, Putin is an astute politician, who would recognise the problems he has been unable to tackle:

Corruption that permeates every level of society. Even moneys allocated for regional improvement are paralysed as officials in Moscow are concerned the monies will disappear.

Chronic alcoholism and premature deaths for the male population (average 58). This is not partying, but extends to each and every village, where there are plentiful supplies of cheap, home-brewed vodka.

Poor regional investment, widening the gap between Moscow and the regions.

An economy completely dependent on oil and minerals with low investment in industry.

If you were Putin what would you do? What would you do if the Russians wanted to establish a missile defence system in France? How would you get money to the regions, if you thought the local politicians were going to take their cut? How would you cure alholism if everyone knows how to make viodka at home?

Gary Hyams, London/Bryansk, UK/Russia

Don't count the Chechens out just yet, I'm afraid.
All they're doing is moving to neighbouring countries and starting the process of digging their heels in there.

RDS, Saskatoon, SK Canada

Good news? Great guy? This guy is still living in the Cold War. This can't be good for anyone.

Mike, Sykesville, MD

Very interesting view but what's with sending Russian bombers back out at everyone. I happen to be in Calgary right now and the front page of the newspaper todAY is an almost identical picture to the once recenly seen in UK papers. A CAF fighter next to a Russian bomber. Putin may have his good points but he is no Gorbachev!!

Andrew Wood, lecanto, Fl

Its nice to Know Putin is back into politics.He has brought back Russia into Power once again.And he is most favourite leader among the russians.He should stay and should set an example for other leaders...
He really deserves the credit.

Kasparov, London, UK

The author failed to mention how Putin has done precious little to stop nuclear proliferation particularly to Iran and Syria. Indeed he has supported it. Oh and he left out the bit about the Russian nuclear bombers that have started probing the sovereign air space of Great Britain and the US. It looks like someone wants to warm up the Cold War again. Hey, and constitutions ... well I guess they are just guidelines that are meant to be broken. I mean how important can a piece of paper be ? It's just the compact with people and basis for a government's sovereignty, authority, citizens rights/freedoms and all law.

G B, Washington, DC

I think Putin is going to back to USSR. In my opinoin it is not really good idea.

Dryagin Valery, Moscow, Russia

I agree with this article. Thanks for your perspective, I wish it were heard more often in the ignorant and xenophobic USofA.

ESB, Washington DC, USA

The Prime Minister idea is constitutional and legitimate. Go for it Putin!

Alon Kochavi, Tel Aviv, Israel