As Trump Out-Putins Putin, Russia’s Global Influence Erodes

New York times ^ | 6th March 2026 | Paul Sonne

[Cronos]

Mr. Putin is also grappling with the arrival of a new world of unbridled American power under President Trump, which is checking Russia’s global influence and ripping up Moscow’s playbook for partnerships abroad.

For years, Mr. Putin supported anti-American authoritarian governments in Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, with little worry that Washington would use its overwhelming military power to kill, capture or push out their leaders. That has now changed, as Mr. Trump has demonstrated a willingness to disregard international norms and engage in foreign adventurism by fully exploiting Washington’s might.

The last two months have brought the U.S.-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; the U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela; and a U.S. economic blockade intended to oust the Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel. In every case, Russia has offered little help.

An American president pursuing foreign heads of state in their homes and offices, unchecked by Congress, has also flipped the script on Mr. Putin, who has made his appetite for risk, willingness to use force and unpredictability central to his coercive power in the world.

“Now he’s no longer the baddest guy in town,

He no longer is able to strike fear in the way that he had hoped. That mantle has gone over to Trump. And so Putin looks, in a way, a little bit pathetic.”

---

TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia; War
KEYWORDS: newyorkslimes; patheticputin; putin

[TigersEye]

Quite the commie propaganda piece, Mr. Sonne.

[A strike]

queue Nelson:
“Ha,Ha”..

[Kazan]

The war in Iran is one of the best things that has happened to Russia.

Oil prices are skyrocketing, bring in more revenue for Russian oil.

There are no longer any spare Patriot missiles for Ukraine.

Europe is facing massive inflation and is going to have a hard time mustering up any money for Ukraine.

It wouldn't at all be surprising if the EU can hat in hand to the Russians begging for its oil and willing to throw Ukraine under the bus.

[McGruff]

❗️Reuters: Traders are selling Russian Urals crude oil for India at a premium of $4-5 per barrel against Brent crude. This is an increase from the significant discount before the Iran conflict

Russia probably wants this war with Iran to go on for a year or so.

[Veto!]

It’s the NYTimes.
What do you expect?
Brilliant writers?????

[AZJeep]

Isn’t Trump just Putin’s puppet?

[Dan Zachary]

For years, Mr. Putin supported anti-American authoritarian governments in Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, with little worry that Washington would use its overwhelming military power to kill, capture or push out their leaders.

I thought President Trump was a Russian asset, A Russian puppet, Putin's gay lover, etc.