Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s confirmation over the weekend that he plans to return to the presidency in March 2012 effectively positions him to rule Russia until 2024 by means of two consecutive six-year terms. This, of course, depends on his health holding out – at 58, he is already at the average Russian male’s… [Read more]
Following predictable Republican gains in Tuesday’s US mid-term elections, there will be a temptation to proclaim President Barack Obama a lame duck. In addition, the 2012 presidential election campaign has all but begun, with speculation already mounting as to whom the Republicans will nominate to challenge Obama. Despite this, I caution against writing off Obama… [Read more]
Barack Obama’s resounding victory over John McCain begs the question, what next for the US Republican party? Can they rebuild themselves in time to recapture the White House in 2012 (or Congress in the 2010 mid-term elections)? What will they have to do? Who will spearhead them next time round? A key problem for the… [Read more]