Why do two-bit dictators always get described as "mercurial"?
Kasparov is a brilliant man - charismatic, very well-educated, and knowledgeable about world affairs. The question is: can he hire enough ex-KGB thugs to counter Putin's ex-KGB thugs and make the next election a real contest? Since Russia is not a real republic yet but an oligarchy of corrupt interests, it will interesting to see if Kasparov can put together his own coalition of powerful interests that wants to rid Russia of corruption. I doubt he can...and given what tends to happen to people who raise their fist to Putin's power structure, I would even say Kasparov's life is already in danger.
That was my first thought when I read this. Kasparov's days are numbered.