Russia sliding back to totalitarianism. With new legislation set to ban protests and political dissent, critics are charging Russia's government under Vladimir Putin with returning to the Stalinist days when words spoken to the wrong person could land one in prison or worse. Russia's leadership is simply deranged. They are creating a climate deliberately unfriendly to freedom and the free market, and their new-found economic might will quickly disintegrate when those with money flee the country while they still can. Obama will have a real challenge on his hands dealing with a Russia that thinks it needs to regain its lost glory and power. Hopefully he will be somewhat up to the task. George Bush's strategy was not very successful in restraining their inclinations to befriend America's enemies. And they are already ramping up the provacations to test our incoming President. More:

New legislation backed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would allow Russian authorities to label any government critic a traitor—a move that rights activists said Wednesday was a chilling throwback to times of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

The bill, which is expected to become law, would expanded the definition of treason to include damaging Russia's constitutional order, sovereignty or territorial integrity. That, rights activists said, would essentially let authorities interpret any act against state as treason—a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.