Two years ago , Vladimir Putin was in trouble , with widespread protests and falling ratings . Daniel Treisman says Putin 's fortunes have rebounded as the Sochi Olympics approach . Putin 's ratings are up The advance bad press has lowered expectations so much that the Games will seem something of a success if they merely take place without the stadium collapsing or terrorists exploding bombs in Sochi itself . and he 's had successes in international issues , Treisman says . Comment: Putin faces economy with fading growth , and his luck could run out .
Two years ago , Vladimir Putin was in trouble , with widespread protests and falling ratings . Daniel Treisman says Putin 's fortunes have rebounded as the Sochi Olympics approach . Putin 's ratings are up and he 's had successes in international issues , Treisman says . Comment: Putin faces economy with fading growth , and his luck could run out .