I think Richard could be a spy for whomever
IF you remember his words to Locke at end of Season 3..
it hinted at the removal of Ben

I wonder IF Richard was on the original Black Rock that arrived on the Island and is the proof of eternal youth as in he is not appearing to age

Richard is certainly a pivotal figure in that he discovered Ben as kid in the woods

he brought Julia to the Island via the time warp factor


priate ship ... lost bounty .. dreams of eternal youth and the time travel mechanism
to "bring it on home"

and the yet to be revealed powers of the mystical Island LOST in time

or is the rest of the planet LOST ????
and the Island some type of paradise