Evidently, Putin has concentrated power in his own hands to such an extent that there is no one who can play the role that Putin himself played in Yeltsin’s retirement: a competent, younger and loyal successor who can guarantee to protect the man he is replacing.
Much the same thing as happened wrt Stalin. Who’ll dare to pronounce him dead? And the inevitable in-fighting escalation until the worst of the worst sits atop the heap of former friends and colleagues and reigns like a newfound tsar. Repeat, repeat, repeat with or without washing and rinsing betwixt the rounds.
At 73 years of age, Vladimir Putin should be on what Americans call “easy street”. He has achieved more than most people could hope to achieve in several lifetimes. As president or prime minister, he has led his country for over a quarter of a century. His domestic popularity, notwithstanding the adverse impact of the “special military operation”, hovers around the 75% mark. It is reckoned he has access to more wealth than he could possibly spend in 100 lifetimes. It is rumoured he has a much younger partner with whom it is alleged he has several children. But instead of enjoying his “golden years”, what’s he doing? He’s fighting with the neighbours. He really should consider therapy.
So called “experts” the majority of whom doesn’t speak Russian or haven’t been in the country for decades, regularly talk about Putin’s imminent demise.
In reality, there’s little reason to believe that he isn’t in a great shape for a man in his early 70ies with an intensive workload.
Eventually, he will exist the stage. His successors biggest problem will be the lack of widespread goodwill and popularity that Putin has. Especially among people who remember the 90ies.
If an immediate successor isn’t ready today, and something would befall him, the security council is more than capable of taking the wheel.
Putin cannot stop, cannot retire, cannot pass the baton. Unless something is cooked up by the FSB. I still think Nicholai Patruchev, the evil Cardinal Richelieu of the regime, could promote his son Andrei (or some other FSB stooge). Then the whole corrupt bagatelle might continue for the next generation. Otherwise, watch out Vlad for the day you wake up and all the bodyguards have disappeared!
Thank you for this! I think Trump is in the same leaky boat.
He can always be the senior Senator from Kentucky
Good one!
Evidently, Putin has concentrated power in his own hands to such an extent that there is no one who can play the role that Putin himself played in Yeltsin’s retirement: a competent, younger and loyal successor who can guarantee to protect the man he is replacing.
Much the same thing as happened wrt Stalin. Who’ll dare to pronounce him dead? And the inevitable in-fighting escalation until the worst of the worst sits atop the heap of former friends and colleagues and reigns like a newfound tsar. Repeat, repeat, repeat with or without washing and rinsing betwixt the rounds.
At 73 years of age, Vladimir Putin should be on what Americans call “easy street”. He has achieved more than most people could hope to achieve in several lifetimes. As president or prime minister, he has led his country for over a quarter of a century. His domestic popularity, notwithstanding the adverse impact of the “special military operation”, hovers around the 75% mark. It is reckoned he has access to more wealth than he could possibly spend in 100 lifetimes. It is rumoured he has a much younger partner with whom it is alleged he has several children. But instead of enjoying his “golden years”, what’s he doing? He’s fighting with the neighbours. He really should consider therapy.
Also no sign of a succession plan, although whoever they eventually put forward will have to first pledge allegiance to VVP
There should be no mystery here. Putin and his lap dog DJT share the same brain disease, whatever it is.
So called “experts” the majority of whom doesn’t speak Russian or haven’t been in the country for decades, regularly talk about Putin’s imminent demise.
In reality, there’s little reason to believe that he isn’t in a great shape for a man in his early 70ies with an intensive workload.
Eventually, he will exist the stage. His successors biggest problem will be the lack of widespread goodwill and popularity that Putin has. Especially among people who remember the 90ies.
If an immediate successor isn’t ready today, and something would befall him, the security council is more than capable of taking the wheel.
Putin cannot stop, cannot retire, cannot pass the baton. Unless something is cooked up by the FSB. I still think Nicholai Patruchev, the evil Cardinal Richelieu of the regime, could promote his son Andrei (or some other FSB stooge). Then the whole corrupt bagatelle might continue for the next generation. Otherwise, watch out Vlad for the day you wake up and all the bodyguards have disappeared!
Very good
Trump has sharks, Putin has whales.
Great insights as normal. Much appreciated!