Putin as a Pundit:: "Why is it hard to fire people?"

Russia's strong man & Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has many talents: He is a black belt in Judo, an ex-KGB colonel, a painter & a skilled fisherman. He can now add another feather to his cap: He has just tried his hand at writing. For the first time in his career, the politician wrote a column for the new glossy & trendy Russian magazine; the Russian Pioneer.

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From Russia without love: The US double standards.

After two terms of the Bush regime, what was once a respected member of the international community today conjures up two gut reactions in the hearts and minds of the international community: sullen hatred due to Washington's shock and awe tactics or sheer disrespect due to the two-faced and utterly hypocritical nature of its foreign policies.

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Russia celebrates its victory over Germany by a Soviet style military parade.

During his two terms as President, Vladimir Putin has attempted to remake Russia into a major world power.

As he is "stepping down" from president to prime minister, Vladimir Putin will remain the man running Russia with an iron fist.

Some analysts are raising the possibility that Putin's Russia represents a threat for the West, and could perhaps even be the start of a New Cold War.

"The New Cold War " is the title of Edward Lucas new book. Edward Lucas is the Economist's former Moscow Bureau Chief. To read about Ed Lucas sobering assessement on the topic go to: http://www.fpa.org/pubs_inventory2418/pubs_inventory_show.htm?doc_id=670602