As many readers are probably aware, today the Financial Times published a special pull-out section on Russia with about a dozen articles ranging over a wide variety of topics.  Overall, the material is well balanced and informative, but not containing too much breaking news you don’t already know about.  Below is an excerpt from Charles Glover’s piece on the power sharing arrangement, addressing everybody’s favorite question:  just how much independence does Dmitry Medvedev have, and will it increase?

Mr Medvedev seems content with his subordinate role. However, while he has has been seeking to step out from under Mr Putin’s shadow and assert his independent political identity, he has not sought to challenge Mr Putin, at least openly.

While he frequently criticises the work of the cabinet headed by Mr Putin, this does not appear to bother the prime minister. Likewise, pronouncements by Mr Putin on foreign policy, which is nominally Mr Medvedev’s domain, do not seem to faze the president.