Paul Johnson‘s latest Forbes magazine column shares his negative assessment of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and questions whether President Obama will be able to deal with him successfully in the years ahead.

The difficulty is Russia and, in particular, its entrenched leader, Vladimir Putin. He rose through the ranks of the KGB and since worming his way into power has become the most difficult, dangerous and unassailable master of Russia since Joseph Stalin. Is he as evil? Many think so. Other things being equal, he’s a natural ally of terrorism.

Putin’s character is seen in the way he treats those whom he regards as personal enemies, including two young women, members of the feminist punk rock protest group Pussy Riot, who were sentenced to penal servitude for participating in a “punk prayer” demonstration at a Moscow cathedral in 2012. The prayer included a 30-second appeal to the Virgin Mary to drive Putin from power–the kind of outrageous gesture Westerners would dismiss as mere childishness. But for this offense the women were each sentenced to two-year terms in prison colonies notorious for their appalling conditions. …

… The fact that Putin isn’t totally beyond the reach of outside influence is something on which the West can build. He has a weakness–money–and by demanding and getting payoffs he is believed to have become one of the richest men on Earth. The more Putin can ingratiate himself with reputable members of the international elite, the more he can live the life of an “ordinary” billionaire. But to succeed in this he needs a change in friends. …

… A great deal depends on Barack Obama. Taking on a devious and evil-minded operator like Putin requires a rare combination of subtlety and personal strength. However, events can help Presidents grow. The 9/11 terrorist attacks made George W. Bush a different man, and he finished his two terms as a formidable figure. It may be that Syria’s use of chemical weapons and the outrages in Nairobi will have a stimulating effect on Obama’s presidency, giving him the decisive impetus he’ll need in a personal confrontation with Putin that now seems increasingly likely.