Since November (#4): The Big Dog

While George Bush puppies around with Barney, here’s what intimidation really looks like.

You have to check out the whole photo gallery at Spiegel to appreciate how Putin derives almost sadistic pleasure from hounding Merkel with his dog Kani.  (From other pics I’ve seen lately with other visitors, he’s been making a regular habit out of it.)

I don’t have the exact date of this meeting, but I believe it occurred in January, closely coinciding with Russia’s cut in oil supplies to Poland, Ukraine and Germany.  With Germany dependent on Russia for half its natural gas, that’s a very ugly picture.

The canine comparison, by the way, is not an idle one.  Under the White House watch, Putin has had his way with the Administration at almost every opportunity,

This eight day series, titled "Since November," looks at images that have caught The BAG’s
attention over the past four months. Many are inspired by the change in
political landscape following the Democratic Congressional victory
in November. In this stretch, I am taking some time off, leaving the
site — and the conversation — in your hands.

(image: AFP/ITAR TASS.  Sochi, Black Sea.  January 2007.  via Spiegel.de.  YahooNews caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are watched by Putin’s dog Koni. The labrador sauntered into the meeting room in front of reporters at Putin’s residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi and sat at Merkel’s feet, causing the German chancellor apparent discomfort.)