>>>>Condi is a Soviet expert, speaks Russian, and is certainly not Cheney or Rumsfeld in her world view. I would trust her understanding of Russia certainly more than Susan Rice's or that of any number of others.
>>>
>>>aka new reality... You better believe it. These are turbulent times. We are just few years behind year 1929 and it is already year 2012 {g} That is exactly why Russians voted for 'autocrat' Putin, and why regime in Washington will (easily) re-ellect 'democrat' Obama for another 4 years.
>>>
>>>As for Condy, You might get your wish in 2016. But they gotta digg out some deacent looking & sweet talking Republican to run with her. Hard proposition nowadays. {g}
>>
>>You are certainly right about that. The Republican party will never be of any use until it comes out from under the control of the social conservatives who think the greatest threats to civilization are gay marriage and evolution. The Democrats will never successfully be the champions for social justice as long as they sell out to the trial lawyers who lobby against reform that would bring down medical cost and make their health care ideas practical and the teachers and public empoyees unions that have the same corrupt relations with the dems that big business has with both parties.
>
>loved that part.. ;-)
>>
>>As for Putin, he plays hardball but that's okay. He's not crazy so his behavior is understandable and predictable and that is really all you can ask for in a partner in realpolitik.
>
>On Putin: a friend of mine emigrated from Russia in the early nineties. She says she is afraid of him:
>he gets things done and prepares his next steps by eliminating possible roadbocks well in advance.
>Currently she sees his goals also aligned mostly rather well for Russias benefit,
>but fears that he might shift his goals later in life when having established even tighter control.
>A certain Austrian from last century did likewise.
>
>Or a sane-stayed Putin might give a well oiled machine to a successor not able to handle such a thing.

Some say the Chinese are playing the long game, too. Their leadership changes are closely scrutinized, like tea leaves.

>At least Condi is nicer to look at and brings colour to the table ;-)

Condi-Hankey '16 - Charles, pull in your markers, you've got 4 years to get ready < g >