OK, if we are making clueless predictions here, then I will add my own. I predict Medvedev's popularity rating will increase and he will run for president again. When he gets re-elected, he will appoint Putin as prime minister again. I predict Putin will say yes because he likes the detail work of being prime minister more than the general overview of the presidency, and he trusts Medvedev to set the right policies. All of this is dependent, of course, on the Earth not getting sucked into a black hole or some other catastrophe in 2012. Cheers!

Let me borrow a line from Orson Wells's Citizen Kane, Putin is the Man! Moreover, I am not sure what is meant by “modernization” of Russia-which seem to suggest Medvedev represents this project whereas Putin does not share this vision; unless, of course, this term is repacking of the neoliberal model that brought unmitigated disaster to Russia. Medvedev needs time to mature into his own. So far, he comes across as friendly and competent but he does not seem to have the killer instinct of Vladimir Putin. Putin’s famous 2007 Munich speech and his interview with Time Magazine shows a complex and confident leader. Whatever the order of leadership next time around, Russia needs Putin more than any other leaders in the next ten years or so as the nation renews its economic, social , technological and political infrastructure. More than anything else Putin offers to Russian society, and Russian children/youth in particular, health image, love for nature, survival skills, active living. Putin is a good leader to hold together this vast land/ nation. Medvedev come across more as urbane, bookish, internet generation. Perhaps this is what some may mean by "modernization" but Russia is a big country and it needs a leaders who project an ‘imperial image’