[Piacki_117]

Originally Posted by bruxell

No, I think we're more afraid of an ex-KGB dictator who uses atomic terrorism, controls the media, puts the heads of opposing parties in prison... Putin is the next real problem for the world, and I don't the the U.S. is really afraid of losing a position of supreme power it never really had. You America bashers should read books before you spout off.

I'm absolutely not an America basher - I'm actually rather atlantist, so you know. Poutine isn't exactly a real dictator, and you clearly overestimate Russia's actual power : its territory is definately underdevelopped, 30% of its economy is based on the only energy sector, inequalities are growing, the finance industry is weakened by corruption and opaqueness, and the list goes on. Apparently the Russian Federation has got some problems with its minorities too, and racism seems to reach a growing part of the population.
By the way, I'm pretty sure that Russia will be a guenuine democracy again in the medium term.