Russia's New President is Sworn In

(07 May 08-RV) Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as Russian president in a solemn ceremony in the Kremlin's throne room today, beginning an unprecedented period of dual rule with his predecessor Vladimir Putin. Medvedev, a longtime Putin ally, stressed freedom and the rule of law in his first remarks after taking the oath of office. The new leader, inherits a booming economy fuelled by high oil prices -- but also a sobering set of challenges. They include rampant corruption, rising inflation, a falling population, sickly industry and agriculture and increasingly tense relations with former Soviet neighbours and the West. We spoke to Senior Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Leon Aron, about the key challenge Russia faces...