Putin is a very much stronger leader and very often we fail to see how the rest of the world views Obama and Putin.  Obama started his Presidency with tremendous support around the world and his foreign policies have allowed that to erode.  This has given Putin the opportunity to make points with the other nations as he did today.

 Good Tuesday morning Conrad. Obama has no kahuna's. He is like his daddy, Jimmy Carter. They know how to get elected; they do not know how to be president.

Putin was 150% correct.  It is not about 'our team' losing anymore.

Very much so.  Can you imagine a fist fight between those 2?

Dangerous times. KBG is back in action.

Eastern European countries are starting to realize, the west has betrayed them. They see how Ukraine fell with so much as a peep.

They see how EU will not support US in IRAN sanctions.

They see our greatest ally in the region SA is being strained by the challenges of a changing balance of pwr.

Putin sees the end game playing out as planned.

Did you notice that everything he has done in Syria he tested in Afghanistan and knew the US was impotent.

Good morning Conrad.  You know how I feel about the current political environment so I'll just leave this one alone.  

If it were limited to Obama and Putin playing games on a playground, I would think it was moderately funny how Putin postures and struts and Obama just seems to give away ground. But it isn't a playground and it isn't funny. This is our national security yet again that is at risk. Very sad. 

Good morning Conrad. Once again our President must thing he is playing a JV team.

Very simply said, No.

Putin might be a little off-kilter, but he's a strong leader.  

Today, though?  He had the benefit of hindsight in his speech, which is a powerful tool.

The images themselves speak for themselves.  One rides a horse/fishes/hunts bare chested, and the other wears Mom jeans and capitulates to (mostly) everyone.

Conrad,

It is very sad.  Underestimating Putin is not a wise.  A