ARTICLE: “Putin Hits Back, Criticizing U.S. In Yearly Address: Russian Leader Call for Stronger Military,” by Judith Ingram, Washington Post, 11 May 2006, p. A1.

Nice line: “We are aware of what is going on in the world. Comrade wolf knows whom to eat, he eats without listening, and he’s clearly not going to listen to anyone.”

Translation: “The Bush Administration does what it wants with its military and energy policies. It decides to invade and conquer one of the world’s largest oil reserves, and does so with little care for allies’ opinions. Even now, though, this regime lectures the world on democracy while consorting with whatever dictators it cares to, so long as their access to energy is assured.”

Cheney warns that Putin is threatening to reverse the gains of the last decade in Russia. Guess what? Plenty of our allies belief Bush and Cheney have already reversed the gains made by globalization over the past decade!

Yes, yes, the Clinton years are looking better by the minute.

So Putin calls for more military spending, which right now in Russia sits at less than one-twentieth of the U.S. military budget--so please, no freaking out just yet!

Sick Man Russia is rapidly turning into Old Man Russia, and Putin is trying to build up a bit of a trust fund, in addition to restoring Russia’s rightful place in the roster of great powers (I’ve seen periods of weak Russia in history, and they’ve never gone well, so yeah, I approve of the strategy).

But instead of understanding those needs and that strategy, this administration seems intent of making sure we reduce our partnership with Russia as much as possible. Why? Apparently right now we need allies less than ever.

Putin’s backtalking, along with Ahmadinejad’s and all the rest around the world, just signals the growing awareness internationally that the Bush Administration is a spent force. This crew is not inclined to change their spots now, and the world knows it.

So, quite frankly, our debates should focus most on who and what comes next for America. The conversation is basically over with the Bush Administration. So it’s time to focus on the new ideas, the new leaders, and the lifers within the bureaucracy who will both rule--for all practical purposes--in the meantime and be there when the new crew arrives.