PUTIN THE PLAYERIn 1989 the world turned upside down. After thirty-five years of fear, simulated nuclear attacks and worriesof a world war like was never experienced, the worldwas free to sigh a breath of fresh air as the Soviet Unioncollapsed. The collapse was no slow methodicaldecline; it was quick and it was complete.In East Germany, the geographical area underSoviet control, …