Will not let go!

 Letting go of the reins has got to be tough. Whether it be the Burmese Junta not allowing foreign aid workers, in fear of losing out control of the situation or Vladimir Putin not letting go of his control in Russia. The two aspects struck me most in the news this week. Putin is the new Prime Minister of Russia and according to the Russian Constitution, no person is allowed to run as President for 3 terms in a row - so Mr. Putin makes himself Prime Minister, puts one of his cronies (Dimitry Medvedev) as the man at the helm. As one analyst put very aptly - it is written in pencil and can be changed anytime. Putin is definitely the face of Russian nationalism which was lost after the Soviets dissolved - his fan following within Russia is quite extreme - but will the young revolt? I was watching a series of reports about Russia on the emergence of new Russian nationalists among young people - called the Nashi (Молодежное движение «Наши» - Youth Movement “Ours”) . The vote bank is split among young people with their allegiance to Mr. Putin. Could Russia be facing another revolution? Young Russians like their counterparts in several other “growing” nations look to their counterparts in the West as benchmark for development. Although, Russia is a member of a body of nations tha are growing economically, the rampant economic disparity, corruption and displaced nationalism could bring its downfall. The hatred shown toward foreigners is quite something in itself - during Soviet times, the nation supported several students from under-developed and developing nations from Asia and Africa - this was an attempt for the Communists to give a sense of openness and make the Soviet Empire attractive - this has changed quite a bit - African students often are subject to racial attacks on them from native Russians. Has Russian Nationalism flipped? Is Russian Nationalism bad for Russia? One quote by Mr. Putin struck me the other day as he was leaving office - “Anyone who is glad that the Soviet Empire fell does not have a heart - Anyone who thinks that the Soviets should be back does not have a head.” This is definitely a new Russia that Prime Minister Putin is envisioning.  Mr. Putin will be back as the President of Russia - deserving or not - he is in charge of shaping the Russian identity.