I do not believe that Putin intends to leave office in a Cold War atmosphere with the United States.

The Western concept of democracy is based on the idea that the loser of an election has the possibility next time round of being the winner. But in the case of an ethnically or religiously divided country, in which minorities don't live peacefully together, this necessary balance can't be properly guaranteed by democracy. When each ethnic group arms itself, it is not surprising that the army of a new state is viewed by part of the population as an ideological militia.

To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal

Where position is felt to be a birthright, generosity is possible (though not guaranteed); flexibility is not inhibited by a commitment to perpetual success.

Obama is like a chess player who is playing simultaneous chess and has opened his game with an unusual opening.

Well, on the American side, every new administration has to cut its teeth in a crisis, because before a crisis, you don't really know what your various subordinates are thinking under stress.

A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.