A Russian was nominated to head Interpol — he ultimately lost out to South Korean Kim Jong Yang, but let’s still talk about why it was a bad idea. As Bill Browder says, and he has more than enough personal experience in this area, it’s like “the mafia taking over global law enforcement.” That’s perhaps a little strong, as honesty and respect for the law do exist among Russian nationals. It’s the background of this specific Russian in Putin’s law enforcement agencies that worries me.

But what is it that we shouldn’t be doing? Allowing this specific person to take over this specific job? Or having a good look at the manner in which we allow state and governmental power to both grow and concentrate?