UPDATE on 2/7/2009: VP Biden, at an international security conference, said that "the Obama administration would continue to pursue a planned missile-defense system that has angered the Kremlin, provided the technology works and isn’t too expensive. The missile defense shield, Mr. Biden said, is needed to 'counter a growing Iranian capability.'"
Medvedev strikes me as a bit of a fascinating figure. In particular:
34. To what extent is he really making the big decisions? How often does he meet with Putin? Did he and Putin enter into a handshake agreement, prior to Medvedev's selection as heir apparent, which enables Putin to retain the real power?
This week, the president of Kyrgyzstan (Kurmanbek Bakiyev) went to Moscow to collect $2.15 billion in Russian aid. While there, he announced that Kyrgyzstan is closing an air base that the US uses for the war in Afghanistan. Today's NYT article states that Russia is using the base closure as a way to gain leverage with the US in the ongoing re-balancing of US/Russian power -- in particular, Russia wants to make clear that it is opposed to the encroaching "easternization" of NATO.
35. Does Medvedev play any sports? Would Obama ever invite him, or other foreign leaders, to shoot hoops, as a way to get to know each other // encourage friendship?
36. Other than golf (I assume US presidents have played golf with other foreign leaders), are there any other sports that presidents have played with foreign leaders?
37. Is Obama playing basketball currently? If so, where and how many times per week?
I need to get on the ball on finding out about a spring tennis league.
38. Are the UVa higher-ups thinking yet about firing Dave Leitao? What is he doing that's causing him to "lose the players" as the local media describes it?
