Russian president Vladimir Putin is one of the most reviled politicians in the West. At the same time, few leaders worldwide have maintained such high levels of popularity.

Putin's political and economic successes are too startling to be ignored. From his appointment as vice president on New Year's Eve 1999, Putin has assisted in the rebuilding of a shattered country in a few short years. With high rates of economic growth, military and police reform, and a concerted attack on official corruption, Putin has become a trusted populist leader, and a significant figure in global nationalism, non-alignment and multipolarity.