Posted on 02/17/2018 1:20:34 PM PST by GoldenState_Rose
The chief paradox of the upcoming elections in Russia is that everyone knows who the winner will be but no one knows what his policy will be – or even whether it will be completely 'his.'
After establishing “a personalist dictatorship, Putin has watched as his system has drifted into one in which he will remain president, but “groups of siloviki” will fight over the spoils.
Putin’s inability to protect members of his elite from the consequences of Western sanctions has given rise to this situation.
Those sanctions have already led to the failure of three of the 15 largest banks in Russia and they have called into question Moscow’s ability to protect the members of the elite from losing their wealth or their chance to enjoy it in the West.
Thus, Putin no longer can solve the most important domestic question of the elite: the personal security of being ‘above the law,’ and the guarantee of the right to live in the West - as they convert their wealth into property.
There is a third development.
For the first time since the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Federation has become part of the domestic politics of the US...and it wanted that, but without reforms and an end to confrontation with the West, Russia will not be able to get out of its deep economic hole given that the tactic of ‘small victorious hybrid wars has practically exhausted itself.
As a result, Putin is set to become the gravedigger of the current variant of Putinism in his next term. Or others, including those who are part of his power elite will do so. That has happened in Russian history far more often than once.
(Excerpt) Read more at windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com ...
This is one of the funniest articles on Russia in a long time. Putin does not need to rig elections. He has huge popularity. The gov’t sector is shrinking. The private sector is booming. Wages are skyrocketing. Positive trade balance, nil foreign debt.
Putin is a populist, traditional values, and heavy promoter of Christianity.
Hmm - sounds like a US president us Freepers strongly support.
Russia is our natural ally. We have more in common with Russian interests than with France.
Whatever you can say about Putin, I doubt he sees the US as a ‘natural ally.’ And while Russia may have stepped away from communism, they are hardly free-market or freedom-oriented in their outlook.
This is one of the funniest articles on Russia in a long time. Putin does not need to rig elections. He has huge popularity. The gov’t sector is shrinking. The private sector is booming. Wages are skyrocketing. Positive trade balance, nil foreign debt.
Putin is a populist, traditional values, and heavy promoter of Christianity.
Hmm - sounds like a US president us Freepers strongly support.
Russia is our natural ally. We have more in common with Russian interests than with France.
What are you smoking tonight? It must be some good stuff. We have nothing in common with Russia. Our interests are polar opposites.
In my experiences Russians are apolitical. They just don’t care. They just want to be able to afford an iphone and vacations. Now that is something the west does have in common with them.
But the inequalities in Russia will eventually lead to explosion. It’s only a matter of time.
Russia is a christian country just like us
Russia wants stability in the Middle East just like us
Russia wants to grow fair trade just like us
Russian gov’t share of GDP 35%
US gov’t share of GDP 42%
No freedom of speech, press, or religion. Yeah sure, just like us.
you kidding
A much more active and vibrant press & media than our mainstream media
the gov’t supports christian faith -
But comrade, are they free? You do know what “free” means in this context, right?
LOL
all I know is the neocon hysteria regarding Putin-Russia-Cossacks-Borscht is laughable
Be careful, comrade, and watch your posts. Mueller is watching. /s
Were you born yesterday?
What recent instability in ME is of Russian design?
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