Khodorkovsky acknowledges error of his ways; will not challenge Putin

Funny how ten years in prison can change your perspective.

Both Putin and Khodorkovsky came to prominence in that great free-for-all that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. The most ambitious and ruthless of former insiders battled one another for the spoils. Men barely in their thirties emerged as billionaires.

Real estate prices on the French Riviera sky-rocketed.

Builders of super-yachts welcomed the new lease on life.

As both Khodorkovsky and Putin are well aware, but for the grace of God it might just as easily have been Putin in prison and Khodorkovsky in the Kremlin.