but I do wish people would realise that the vast majority of diplomatic contacts occur at levels below (in some cases far below) the head of state - a good Foriegn Secretary / FO (or Secretary of State, in your language) doing their job properly is far better than having a "knowledgeable on foriegn policy" PM / President, as history will attest.
This is something that bears repeating, and something that didn't really hit home until I read Doug Feith's book,
War and Decision, which touched on some of that. However, the President does play a major role in deciding what approaches we should make, and is a definite and substantial influence.
Besides, one would have thought dealing with Putin would be remarkably easy - its not as if its not blatantly obvious what he is and what his aims are. A bigger test would be dealing with the weaselry at the EU and NATO.
An interesting point to make, but I'm still more worried about the aggressive guy with access to a vast nuclear arsenal.