I like Michael Idov.  Even when I disagree with his opinions on certain trends in Russia, which is not infrequent, I’m left with the impression of hard-earned restraint. His article posted to The New Republic today examining the choices President Obama will face in handling Russian bombast is typically well written, and not without flaws in logic.

In this piece, Idov priotizes the key problem areas in U.S.-Russia relations for the next president:  1) NATO enlargement for Georgia and the Ukraine, 2) Iran’s nuclear ambitions, 3) the Arctic territorial dispute, and 4) repairing the image of the U.S. among Russians.