9. Putin has been moving in this direction for a while
I think it will ultimately be bad for Russians (though they have a long history of authoritarian governments and seem to bear it as well as anyone). I think it will be very bad for Chechnyans.
But I don't think it will be particulary bad for the US. In terms of world stability, a strong and aggressive Russia is a good counterbalance - as long as it does not seek new territory. I don't think it has the military strengthy any longer to be a force outside of central Asia. But it would certainly a) give Islamic terrorists a new target and b) give China a new competitor.
From a very cynical realpolitik point of view, Putin's grab for power is not bad for US interests. From a humanitarian standpoint, it's scary.
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