Is This Man Putin's Most Powerful Enemy?

Mikhail Khodorkovsky (CNN)

Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast: Mikhail Khodorkovsky Is Putin’s Most Powerful Enemy (in Exile)

Russia may not be ready for the ex-billionaire to return, but his arguments are gaining ground.

LONDON — On a recent afternoon the Open Russia Foundation, which basically represents the brains and money behind the Russian opposition, held an event at its headquarters on Hanover Square in London. And the predictions for Russia’s future seemed to grow darker by the minute.

Two Russian scientists, Yelena Lukyanova from Moscow’s Higher School of Economics and Dr. Vladimir Pastukhov from Oxford’s St. Antony’s College exchanged speculative arguments about the chance Russia could one day fall apart. How much longer will President Vladimir Putin hold on? Participants wondered. And what will become of Russia after he’s gone?

On the back row of the rather thin audience, the foundation’s sponsor, exiled Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovksy—in torn jeans—was busy reading an e-book. Only once did the host of the event peer up through his spectacles to glance at the event’s participants.

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WNU Editor: Mikhail Khodorkovsky has little if any support in Russia.