Hard to believe, but I find myself thinking about Vladimir Putin well before his next political triumph. It is as good as made, anyway. Next year he will be the president of Russia for the second time. And he will enjoy two full terms by law. At six years a term, that means that he will step down from his lofty post in 2024. Wow! At the moment, the whole world is transfixed by Steve Jobs, instead. The dead magician. Things will turn soon enough, though. Europe is in turmoil, and so is America. The economic crisis gripping the rich world is likely to stretch for quite some time. At least five years, say. And Russia will be in sure hands all the way through the misery and its wobbly aftermath. But that is not a topic of political discussion at this time. Not yet. It will take the dimwits on both sides of the Atlantic a year or two to grasp the importance of Russia, which is a Pacific power to be reckoned with, just like America. Of course, there can be no doubt that Putin will know how to push Russia’s advantages to the hilt. Oil, gas, rare metals, gold, precious stones. The sort of things Europe will not be able to afford any longer in view of rapid development and growing purchasing power of China and many other countries in Asia. So, why do I feel so alone in thinking about Putin? I can only hope that I am hopelessly deluded on account of my insufficient grasp of world affairs.