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Putin's Grip
Cruising to a landslide election win next week, Russia's President has extraordinary power. A look ahead to his second term
Vladimir Putin
His Brilliant Career
Just Following Orders
Who is Mikhail Fradkov? Russia's Prime Minister, that's who
Blighted Ballot
Why TIME's Yuri Zarakhovich won't be voting for Putin ... or anyone else

Putin Vs. The Oligarchs
A campaign to root out corporate corruption or a return to the bad old days? [Nov. 10, 2003]
Russian Democracy
A foreign concept in a land that has known little but autocracy for centuries [March 3, 2000]
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On New Year's Eve, the Miseries of Minsk
As Russia hikes up the cost of gas for Belarus, the mood turns gloomy
Mogadishu at 60 Miles an Hour
Arms merchants are once again doing brisk business after a rapid change of power in this tough town, but so far the peace has held
The Year of The Nuke
A rundown of the world's nuclear powerhouses, and what to expect in the coming months
QUICK LINKS: Four More Years | Putin's Brilliant Career | Just Following Orders | Back to TIMEeurope.com Home
FROM THE MARCH 15, 2004 ISSUE OF TIME MAGAZINE; POSTED SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2004.

PICTURES: TASS/REUTERS (center); SERGEI GUNEYEV for TIME (4)

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