From Russia with love, from South Africa with...

Two of the Guardian's foreign correspondents have recently left their postings. Nick Paton Walsh left Russia, and ended up loving Vladimir Putin. This contrasts sharply with Rory Carroll, who left South Africa, feeling that his liberal credentials had been stretched to the limit. They both paint vivid pictures of their former homes, and both equally intriguing. Carroll expects to love South Africa, which never quite happens. Crime, race, and AIDS come together in an unfortunate mix to kill the liberal's spirits. The good thing with Nigeria is, I doubt if anybody goes there expecting to like it, let alone love it.