Russia has a new president in Dmitry Medvedev. Apparently, he will be acting as a Putin surrogate. Said to be a diciple of Putin, Medvedev recieved 70.2% of the vote. These results are widely regarded as phoney. The international community, however, has commented very little on the election, and many observers boycotted covering the election. I have to brush up on my Russian political knowledge to further my ninja education, but it seems to me like this election was far from free and clear. Protestors were promptly arrested after the results were announced. Putin has said he will remain very involved in governmental affairs, and Medvedev says protecting Russian security and interests will be of utmost concern. Medvedev headed the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom.