I really start to see Putin differently because of your stuff on getbig and the extra attention i pay to it reading the newspaper. Would be horrible to have a president like him in Holland (or in Finland I guess) but in Russia today he may be the right choice.. ![Cheesy :D](http://www.getbig.com/boards/Smileys/classic/cheesy.gif)
Cool.
His methods and way of leading for sure wouldn't suit in our countries. But in stabilizing and rebuilding Russia he has done awesome job.
I think it would be OK for him to retire now if there were any serious candidates for presidency. But there's not. I have a feeling that is exactly why he sees it necessary to return in Kremlin.
Risks of incapable leader now would be too great. Russia would probably be invaded by the minute without Putin and his efforts put in making the country able to again defend itself.
Despite the huge progress made since 2000, there's lot of work to do.