Our Favorite Obama – Putin UN “War of the Rosés” Picture

While most of the media was highlighting more manly-man U.S.-Russia stand-off pics from the Secretary-General’s UN luncheon, (here’s the icy shot NY Mag and Vox choice to highlight), we’re voting for this as our #1.

Why? (Because it ain’t that pretty with General Ban Ki-moon’s face obscured and the auspicous view of the officials in the back.) For one thing, it totally nails the furtive Putin being, well, furtive. He almost look vulnerable. More than that, though, it up-ends the tired political narratives surrounding the players. That includes the conventional thinking that Putin is so big. That Putin is the more dominating. That Putin is the guy you’ve got to keep you eye on. That Obama should be always be concerned about what head Putin is in.

(photo: AP. caption: President Obama and Russian President President Vladimir Putin, bottom right, attend a luncheon hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, center, on Monday at United Nations headquarters.)