Reading Vladmir Putin's op-ed piece in Thursday's NYTimes put me in mind of rhetorical flourishes. Read it and notice the pivots, the advice, and the not-so-subtle tendency to point out how right the Russians have been. Case study for a class in English composition!

Of course, he has some very good points: Like, really how exceptional is America...

UPDATE: And the Times defends its publication after criticism from some readers: Here!!

Juan Cole offers an analysis of Putin's points: Arguing with President Putin.