What boosted Putins popularity was the proclaimed (and Russian public-approved) war "to a victorious end" in Chechnya. Publicly, Putin has emphasised the need for a strong, stable state, a combination of market and protectionist economic policies along with social solidarity and a fight against corruption, crime and bureaucracy-the right mix for an electorate tired of endless political and economic calamities and unsure of Russias new status in the world. Putin also shows himself to be friendly towards the West, saying most current problems in relations could be settled within weeks. The ideas arent original-the opposition uses them too-but the image of a strong, energetic leader, reflected in state-run media (the premier practising karate or flying an SU fighter plane) have apparently convinced the public, brought up in the Russian-Soviet tradition of respecting a "strong hand", to give Putin a chance. But thats something that can change if the Chechen war drags on.