Well, I can't be the only one to offer comparisons between the two great leaders of eastern empires but there are a number of similarities. Vlad the impaler was not by all accounts an understanding ruler but he was highly thought of in Russia as a reformer. Putin is not the hero and misunderstood ex-ruler of Russia, he is tha archetype imperialist.

There are other similarities.

VladVlad.

vladimir_putinPutin.

What has brought this to my notice is that Gazprom has started to turn off the tap to the Ukraine. Reports are that Bulgaria and Romania are the first to suffer and that it's only a matter of time before Europe is affected.
Seems that though the cuts are only suposed to affect Ukraine a certain amount of syphoning off of suplies passing through Ukraine, bound elsewhere has occured, as you'd expect.

So what happens now eh?

My understanding of human nature sees that thare will be a knee-jerk reaction on the gas futures market and soothing words from H.M. Government.
Putin will, of course, deny pipeline politics, citing a debt owed on a business deal.(though this reminds us all as to who has his hands on the tap).

This one will run and run.

Dennypoos............watches for his friends.