Is Vladimir Putin the most powerful person in the world? "Forbes" thinks so.
This week, the magazine put him atop its list of The Most Powerful People in the World for 2013.
"Putin has solidified his control over Russia and anyone watching the chess match over Syria has a clear idea of the shift in power towards Putin on the global stage," the magazine opined.
But the accolade comes at a time when many Kremlin-watchers see the Russian president's clout fading at home.
In the latest Power Vertical Podcast, we assess Putin-power. Is it waxing or waning?
Joining me are co-host Mark Galeotti, a professor at New York University, an expert on Russia’s security services, and author of the blog “In Moscow’s Shadows.” and guest David Satter, a longtime Moscow correspondent, a fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and author of numerous books on Russia, including most recently, "It Was A Long Time Ago And It Never Happened Anyway."
