[GBA]

There are a lot of ominous signs that Putin is returning to his roots, assuming he ever left them, which I don't. Wanting Russia to be our friend or just like us isn't going to make it so.

Giving up communism and totalitarian control is sorta like a person giving up some sort of addiction. Rather than give them up completely, they are more likely to find a way to moderate them as a compromise. Soon, the addiction will once again take over and an addict often has many relapses before/if ever recovering completely.

Russia has been Soviet for a long time. They won't be able to give that up easily if at all, though they may look reformed...for a while.

[goldstategop]

Freedom in the Western sense has always been alien to the Russian mind. I think the discussion is academic since Russia is on its demographic deathbed. Within a few decades, Russia will be majority Muslim.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus