I've always assumed that a big reason for all of Putin's external moves were to distract the Russian people from how bad their domestic situation is. Annexing parts of Georgia and Crimea were all...
I've always assumed that a big reason for all of Putin's external moves were to distract the Russian people from how bad their domestic situation is. Annexing parts of Georgia and Crimea were all designed to stoke nationalism and direct anger away from the government and toward external sources. Same with what he's doing with the US currently. All he's pushing with Trump et al. seems to me to have an endgame of lifting sanctions, since the Russian economy is contracting.
Pension reform here in Houston is bad enough with emergency workers who can't even legally go on strike, I can't imagine it'll go over well in Russia right now. If people take to the streets, it'll be bad.
Pensions are one of those "damned if you do, damned if don't" political issues. He probably can't afford to keep the system the way it is and there's no telling when he can lift Russia's economy...
Pensions are one of those "damned if you do, damned if don't" political issues. He probably can't afford to keep the system the way it is and there's no telling when he can lift Russia's economy back up again, but this could still be a costly political move in the short term.
If you watch Putin's Revenge on Frontline, they mention that he is haunted of images of Arab Spring toppling leaders and killing them. His domestic problems are 100% the thing he worries about the...
If you watch Putin's Revenge on Frontline, they mention that he is haunted of images of Arab Spring toppling leaders and killing them. His domestic problems are 100% the thing he worries about the most.
That tends to be the case with most authoritarian leaders. Ultimately they are powerful only so long as they can keep people in line. It's like the Game of Thrones parable of the sellsword.
That tends to be the case with most authoritarian leaders. Ultimately they are powerful only so long as they can keep people in line. It's like the Game of Thrones parable of the sellsword.
I've always assumed that a big reason for all of Putin's external moves were to distract the Russian people from how bad their domestic situation is. Annexing parts of Georgia and Crimea were all designed to stoke nationalism and direct anger away from the government and toward external sources. Same with what he's doing with the US currently. All he's pushing with Trump et al. seems to me to have an endgame of lifting sanctions, since the Russian economy is contracting.
Pension reform here in Houston is bad enough with emergency workers who can't even legally go on strike, I can't imagine it'll go over well in Russia right now. If people take to the streets, it'll be bad.
Pensions are one of those "damned if you do, damned if don't" political issues. He probably can't afford to keep the system the way it is and there's no telling when he can lift Russia's economy back up again, but this could still be a costly political move in the short term.
I'd imagine he assumes people are sufficiently distracted for him to pull it off, and time will tell if he's right.
If you watch Putin's Revenge on Frontline, they mention that he is haunted of images of Arab Spring toppling leaders and killing them. His domestic problems are 100% the thing he worries about the most.
That tends to be the case with most authoritarian leaders. Ultimately they are powerful only so long as they can keep people in line. It's like the Game of Thrones parable of the sellsword.
The rules for rulers say you need to stack the deck in your favour with people who support you.
Yup, great video lol.
I thought that was a good description of why people who overthrow tyrants also tend to become tyrants.
Domestic politics — not tension with the U.S. — poses the biggest threat to Putin.