Lately, there have been surprising developments in Russia. Putin
indulged the Christmas spirit by granting clemency to 30 Greenpeace
activists, two members of a punk protest band and dissident tycoon
Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He helped secure a deal with the Syrian government
to give up its chemical weapons arsenal.
Chicago Tribune editorial: Putin’s Olympic moment
In 2007, when the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2014 Winter Games to the Russian city of Sochi, it raised hopes that the Kremlin was open to liberalization and reform. President Vladimir Putin did his best to charm the committee, and it seemed to work. "The Games will help Russia's transition to a young democracy," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, who led the successful bid.