Where did you get the idea that Putin retired? I thought it was common knowledge that Medvedev is a puppet leader, and Putin is still the man in charge.
Its happening now because John Rood (Undersecretary of State) will be meeting with his Russian counterparts next week to discuss missile defense and arms control.
We trusted the military advisors to advise Bush, we just didn't trust Bush to listen. We do however, trust Obama to listen as he has shown a propensity to do so, unlike his predecessor.
"How open did George Bush appear to you to different ideas? I ask because other reporters have claimed that George Bush has continued to believe all his policies on the Iraq War are correct, even when challenged by Colin Powell and Andrew Card and intelligence reports. What makes Bush so steadfast in his views on Iraq?
Robert Draper, Author of Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush: I'd sum it up this way: The president rather enjoys hearing opposing viewpoints from his subordinates, as long as they're opposing each other. And he can in fact be budged from small and/or tactical decisions he's made. It seems nearly impossible, however, to turn him around on major issues, fundamental precepts, etc. "There's no need to argue about the Freedom Agenda," he told me during one of the interviews. Of course, many people would disagree with that. This quality of Bush's can be seen as steadfastness or as abject stubbornness."
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Where did you get the idea that Putin retired? I thought it was common knowledge that Medvedev is a puppet leader, and Putin is still the man in charge.
Edited 11/7/2008 3:16 pm ET by lianne_67
Sorry for jumping into the middle of the thread on this, but I have quite a bit of expertise in this area, and can shed some light.
Now, Jane, don't let facts get in the way of conjecture.
Thanks for your expertise on this. It's certainly very interesting.
:o)
<<Its a pre-scheduled, biannual meeting that's been on the agenda for months.
We trusted the military advisors to advise Bush, we just didn't trust Bush to listen. We do however, trust Obama to listen as he has shown a propensity to do so, unlike his predecessor.
"How open did George Bush appear to you to different ideas? I ask because other reporters have claimed that George Bush has continued to believe all his policies on the Iraq War are correct, even when challenged by Colin Powell and Andrew Card and intelligence reports. What makes Bush so steadfast in his views on Iraq?
Robert Draper, Author of Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush: I'd sum it up this way: The president rather enjoys hearing opposing viewpoints from his subordinates, as long as they're opposing each other. And he can in fact be budged from small and/or tactical decisions he's made. It seems nearly impossible, however, to turn him around on major issues, fundamental precepts, etc. "There's no need to argue about the Freedom Agenda," he told me during one of the interviews. Of course, many people would disagree with that. This quality of Bush's can be seen as steadfastness or as abject stubbornness."
Pages