Putin appears to be actually doing what Bush’s critics accuse him of: becoming a dictator. My feeling is that this is what Putin has wanted to do and now feels that he can do. Will taking full control of the goverment help in the fight against terrorism? I don’t think so, and it may cause more division than unity. The problem Russia has had in fighting terrorism seems to have more to do with petty corruption than lack of central control. But what do I know, I’m just a guy on the other side of the world from Russia.

Tags: