For a long time, the lone bright spot in Vladimir Putin's administration has been liberal (in correct sense) economist, Andrei Illarionov. (Full disclosure: Andrei is a long-time friend of mine.)

Illarionov was a leading opponent of Russia's signing the Kyoto Protocol. He lost that debate as Putin recently signed on to Kyoto.

And based on his recent criticisms of the Yukos confiscation/sale, I'm afraid Illarionov's tenure with Putin is likely nearing its end.