Interesting article about what is going on with Putin and his clique and what it is doing, long term, to Russia.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulroderickgregory/2014/10/14/putins-reaction-to-sanctions-is-destroying-the-economy-and-china-wont-help/

I looked the Machiavellian in the eye ......I was able to get a sense of his soul.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of Putin's inner circle when they probably sat amongst themselves calling W the puppet punk president of the west.