The man of the year should have been Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. I can't think of a man who had had a greater impact to the events of this year.
Maybe cos I know it from my real experience and live in Russia? I know many people who voted for him, including my mother, so telling that he didnt do anything for Russia based on your abroad *neutral media* isnt right. You better compare Russia as it was before he came (huge debts to the world bank, inflation, poor army, etc.) and after. Many people dont like Bush right? Although, people who live in states are fine. Same thing, Putin just needs to start a couple of wars somewhere on Cuba, then he will be identical to Bush. Luckely, hes smarter than that. Im confused with your post. Move back where? US is slipping into totalitarianism? Putin's enemies frequently die in suspicious circumstances? What are you on about ? Who was his enemies? Litvinenko?))) You are a joke.
Putin is the smartest president Russia has seen (Not USSR). He brought Russia back on it's feet and give another 5-10 years, Russia will be in the same power and status of old Soviet Union.
thats what Im saying, lets see who was before him: 1) Gorbatchev, who would be on his knees for $100K. He sold a seaside territory to US that is equal to territory of 4 Poland and holds a lot of oil resources! 2) Drunk Eltsin, same corrupted idiot as Gorbatchev, sold a lot of uranium to US, sold some Russian territory on far east to Chinese. And what about Putin? Black belt judo master, never drinks, goes to lots of martial arts competitions, I prefer this healthy man for sure. Much because of him, Sochi won the olympic stage. He does everything in the interests of his country, thats how a real president should be, thats why west doesnt like him, well 50/50, cos hes got what to say.
Boris Yeltsin, almost managed to sell Russia.. All he got for Russia was corruption and crisis, Economical crisis, Political crisis...Nothing else.
yeah...although he's died, its not good to bash about dead person, but we all remember him and his corrupted family, who was in Kremlin. Peace to him.
If it wasn't for $100 a barrel of oil Russia would still be economic crisis. This would cause political crisis also. Also Russia is still a pretty corrupt country.
I think he is kind of cute, plus he loves dogs. Edit: Oh, I found an interview he had with Time magazine
If it wasn't Putin Russia would go downhill. After Soviet union dissolved, Russia was in pretty bad shape, Boris Yeltsin made it even worse. People speculated than great bipolar world has ended and Russia lost all the glory. But Putin with his strict handling of issues brought Russia back on it's feet. I stand by my words, Putin is the smartest president Russia has ever seen.
It is corrupt an it means its even harder to control 1) GDP is Up 7.7% this year 2) Huge debt is paid : http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/22-08-2006/84038-paris-club-0 The oil production was even bigger in USSR times than it is now: So yeah, why not to be on top and not on the bottom? I dont care what others think, as long as I live good, US is hated the most and who cares? People live fine over there, same thing, noone will love you when you are getting stronger.
I bet you that if you over lap the map of Russia's oil production with the price of oil. I bet you that they track pretty closely together.
Keep in mind that Man of the Year with Time is not an endorsement of intelligence. Also do remember to keep in mind that he shares that honor with Hitler and Stalin..
The reason Crude production is up in Russia is because oil prices have finally risen to a level where Russia can afford to refine their oil. Russia has the worst crude reserves on the planet. Until recently it was just not practical to use it.