Nostalgic Putin

Story.

MOSCOW Apr 25, 2005 — President Vladimir Putin lamented the demise of the Soviet Union in some of his strongest language to date, saying in a nationally televised speech before parliament Monday that it was "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." . . .

Putin, who served as a colonel in the KGB, has resurrected some communist symbols during his presidency, bringing back the music of the old Soviet anthem and the Soviet-style red banner as the military's flag.

And don't forget this story from earlier this month.

Rice's skills as a Russia expert are going to be tested over the next 3 and 1/2 years.