12/02/2007 10:37:09 am
KGB Man. Russia has turned into a highly authoritarian state. The signs have been numerous and the direction obvious for a number of years. It is now considered "not free" in the assessment of the independent Freedom House, with grade 6 in political rights and 5 in civil liberties - where 7 is the most authoritarian. Read here.

It is with that background one should regard the speech by Vladimir Putin at the Munich Conference on Security Policy. He declared he would speak frankly and did so. He was fiercely critical of the US and strongly defended the rights of states as opposed to rights of individuals. The view of the world was that of a leader who sees many enemies and talks of international structures, never values. Of course Russia is always seen as victimised. Revealing.

Read Putins Speech here - >