Power Struggle in Russia

This was too predictable. As many of us speculated Russian PM Putin isn't ever going to give up the reigns to power, and now as expected, he is planning on making another bid for the presidency:

Putin decides to retake presidency

RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has decided to run for the presidency next year, raising the possibility of a power struggle with his protege Dmitry Medvedev, the incumbent Kremlin leader, say highly placed sources.

Insiders familiar with both leaders said Mr Putin, who served eight years as president before becoming Prime Minister three years ago, had begun to lose confidence in Mr Medvedev's loyalty.

If you aren't familiar with this story, here is how we arrived at this point in history:

The Russian constitution allows the president to serve no more than two consecutive terms. Mr Putin stepped down in 2008 and handed the reins to Medvedev on the tacit understanding that he could come back next year if he wished.

At the end of Putin's term, he basically renamed himself as the Prime Minister and also transferred most of the power to the PM position. It was clear that the new President, Medvedev, would serve as a puppet to Putin until Putin could run again. The "rule" was that a president couldn't serve two consecutive terms, Now he will run again, as many of us predicted.

Under the constitution, Mr Putin's move to reclaim the presidency could see him rule for two consecutive six-year terms until 2024, when he will be 72. If so, he would have served as prime minister or president for 24 years in all.

The Russian constitution allows the president to serve no more than two consecutive terms. Mr Putin stepped down in 2008 and handed the reins to Medvedev on the tacit understanding that he could come back next year if he wished.

At first Mr Medvedev was regarded as a puppet. He even took to imitating Mr Putin's distinctive macho stride and speaking style. But three years later, Mr Medvedev, who at 45 is still Russia's youngest leader in more than seven decades, is understood to be reluctant to step aside for Mr Putin.

The President is said to be frustrated at the perception, both at home and abroad, that he is a lame duck. A second term would give him the power to pursue a more liberal agenda of greater political freedom and sweeping judicial reforms, in contrast to that of Mr Putin, who is viewed as authoritarian.

This power struggle will be interesting to watch. Given that we are approaching the epic battle of Gog-MaGog, this political situation in Russia has added significance. It is hard to envision Mr. Putin not gaining the presidency in one way or another; after all, he found a way to maintain power through a loophole in the two term limit by simply changing his title. Now it looks like he may have found a way to remain in power for 24 years.

Could one of these two leaders end up being the "Gog" of Ezekiel 38-39?