A little neo-Kremlinology

rost.ru

The conventional wisdom about Vladimir Putin's transfer of power to Dmitry Medvedev holds that it represented a loss of influence for the siloviki, the core group of security-service veterans who had formed the backbone of Putin's administration.

Rival clans of siloviki had been feuding for months, vying for position in the lead-up to the transition, but Putin seems to have sidestepped them entirely by choosing the technocratic and liberal (by Kremlin standards) St. Petersburg lawyer. In reality, these factions are hardly united and some players are in a better position to prosper in the nouveau régime than others. So, this week's List takes a look at seven Kremlin powerbrokers whose fortunes may indicate which way Russia is headed. Check it out.