As for reform so far, despite the (above) warranted criticism, Russia has moved farther forward than had been predicted. Firstly the prioritization of its nuclear forces, i.e. new gear (Topol-M’s and the like), funds for the Vostochny space port in the far east (set to replace dependence on Khazakhstan’s Baikonur) and will also be used to launch ESA satellites, not to mention that Russia’s GLONASS (their version of GPS) will be fully operational in 2010.

Concentration on nuclear and space based assets before the conventional stuff has been a pretty smart move (especially considering that Russia is not fighting in Chechnya, let alone Afghanistan nor Iraq). China knows this and so does the US – hence the significant reaction of the US military, political & media establishments when the Chinese took out one of their own obsolete satellites with their own missile and the subsequent missile shot by the US to take down a ‘dangerous’ satellite (basically testing anti missile defense).

This sacking also sends a very strong signal to the rest of the old guard. Bend or you will be broken…. A very good job indeed by the Kremlin!