Putin-ite Russia. Thoughts?

The Kitty Hawke incident, arms deals with US enemies (Iran), new relations with India, China (?), the Ukraine, more defense spending etc. (Oops, I forgot the recent incursions into Japanese airspace)

There can be no doubt that Russia is different under Putin’s sober, controlled reins than when Yeltsin stumbled around at the visit of every other foreign dignatory, I was just wondering what all you well informed, brainy people thought about this. Is it all for domestic consumption (to make Russians feel big again) or is it a real revival of the Great Russian Empire?

Please, tell me what you think. Or, alternativly (if you have nothing of value to add), let this post plummet to the archive with only a couple of posts. Thank you.