[cardinal4]

Russia has two thorns they cant control; the Mafia and Chechnya. Putin should probably take his own inventory before taking someone elses...

[jwalsh07]

The Russians took 10,000 casualties in their assault on Chechneya, a city one fifth the size of Baghdad alone, and levelled the city. Their conscripts are no match for American warriors, their technology is three generations behind and their influence is on the wane not the rise.

I repeat, Putin had two choices and the right one was clear. He chose the other. Stupid man.

[TopQuark]

Russia has two thorns they cant control; the Mafia and Chechnya. You are very kind, cardinal. Add to this, the semi-existent legal syste, economy, and the interior ministry (there are persistent rumors that it is they who are at the helm of the Mafia). I think the list of things (Ras)Putin can control is much shorter --- his wife, maybe?