Credit:UN Photo/Mark Garten

A modern country seems to be pedaling backwards in both international and domestic policies. How worried should the world be?

Gabriela Perdomo - As Vladimir Putin enters his last year in Russia's presidency, his tone and decisions turn more and more aggressive. Both at home and abroad, the once-diplomatic head of state is loosening up and speaking his mind, wielding his weapons and pointing his finger like it is his last chance to do so.

This week, it is missile-shield talks that have many diplomats and heads of state keeping close tabs on Russia. The United States government has announced the expansion of an anti-missile defence program in Central Europe, with stations in Poland and the Czech Republic, as a means to contain a potential attack from North Korea or Iran. Putin has opposed the deployment of American bases in the region for several reasons. For one thing, the government argues such a plan could trigger a new arms race in the region, reminiscent of the Cold War. The Kremlin also fears for Russia's safety, claiming American and allies' presence in such proximity could corner the country into a defensive position.

Last month, Putin voiced some controversial comments while discussing the issue in Munich. His spicy statements on American foreign policy were rapidly consumed by the media around the globe. "The U.S. has overstepped its political limits in almost all spheres," he told a meeting of policy makers. "We are witnessing an almost unrestrained hyper-use of force in international relations," declared the president, adding that the U.S. is making the world a "very dangerous" place.

In the White House, there was silence, and only this week, deputy assistant defence secretary Brian Green said he was "saddened" for Russia's refusal of the anti-missile program, which will be implemented in any case. Russia, for now, has decided to interpret this as a defiant attitude by the U.S. government, and to resume the production of medium-size missiles on its own.

The most recent friction between Russia and the U.S. is not the only reason why some are starting to look at Putin with suspicion. Europe is also awakening to the fact that Russia might be feeling some kind of superpower nostalgia. Last year, Russia was accused by some European nations of using the state-controlled gas company, Gazprom, as a tool to influence foreign policy. Gazprom produces up to 80 per cent of the nation's natural gas reserves and also controls both the gas infrastructure and exports. It has recently acquired oil companies and coal mines, too, becoming an energy giant.

Since the government gained control of Gazprom—still partly privatized—in 2005, the president has encountered a powerful tool for political manipulation in it. Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus have all suffered the consequences of Putin's new favourite weapon in the region. Several incidents have led the European Union (EU) to doubt Russia's reliability as an energy supplier.

Putin's most recent defensive take towards the U.S. has not surged from nowhere. The president has grown more and more uncomfortable with the growing grip of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Eastern Europe. Russia has begrudgingly agreed to get involved with NATO and now participates in discussions unrelated to defence matters with the international body, but it sees with very much suspicion that many of its neighbouring nations, including former Soviet republics, are willing to join it. Albania, Macedonia, Croatia, as well as Georgia and Ukraine, are all on course to become NATO members.

At home, the president is also tightening his grip as he prepares to leave the post in March 2008. Despite his sound popularity, Putin's presidency does not escape domestic condemnation. The media has criticized a decree signed this month creating a new regulatory agency for the media and the Internet. Russian government officials said the move seeks to improve efficiency. Journalists from Russia and abroad expressed their concern, fearing this is an attempt to control the media from the top political post. In October last year, Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist, was killed in Moscow. Many people feared her assassination could have been related to her investigations into the effects of the Russian army's actions on the civil population of Chechnya.

Other eerie stories, like last year's episode of Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko being poisoned with a radioactive substance in Britain, have raised concerns on the way the Kremlin is handling criticism.

Russia has never been a country to ignore. Its massive territory sets foot both in Asia and Europe; its energy resources feed many European nations, and its military might is still something to be aware of. Putin might be leaving soon—although the United Russia-controlled State Duma might ponder changing the law to allow a third term—but his legacy could linger on for a long time.

United Russia, which openly supports Putin, is still the strongest party in the country. So far there are few candidates in the horizon—out side the Kremnlin's inner circle—who could replace him. Sergei Mironov, the Russian Federation Council speaker and founder of the A Just Russia party, could gain momentum if he manages to explain to the people what he means by introducing the "socialism of the 21st century" in the country. But the truth is Putin is right now the only strongman in Moscow, and his policies are starting to put the country in an awkward position with the international community. Alarming calls on the new Cold War looming over us might be exaggerated. Still, Putin is one to keep an eye on.

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