Agree with all points. It’s interesting to watch how, when the criminal element actually is put in charge, control takes a sort of new twist to hold the other criminal elements at bay. :-) He quickly tossed some big-money power brokers in prison just to send a message. Of course, like here, the commoners hate rich people, so it worked well.
Putin is a smart cookie. Yes, Russia needed and still does need this guy. The old guard should be proud, but like you say, the new young crowd will need to be controlled. “Abused woman” is the perfect analogy. That’s why the country teetered shortly after ‘89. The people were so used to being force-fed, freedom was down right terrifying. There is comfort and stability even in corruption/payoffs, etc. I think that is why Yeltsin had a hard time (er, well his drinking, too). The large vacuum shortly after the collapse caught him off guard, and needed to be filled, but they didn’t know how to do that.
Study the guys in the background? Absolutely. Medvedev seems to be worthless, but who knows, he could be a ruthless leader, provided he lives through Putin’s reign.
I really don’t think Bush believed that, but said it as an appeasement at the time. We now know there is no appeasement, ever, with these scum. I appreciate your insight!
“Medvedev seems to be worthless, but who knows, he could be a ruthless leader,”
Medvedev and Putin are close to one and the same. They both came up together through the Leningrad/St. Petersburg political complex, and seem fiercely loyal to each other, with Medvedev being the policy wonk, and Putin the “Leader”.
IMO, the ones to watch for the future are Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council, Alexei Gromov, Kremlin Chief of Staff, or Sergey Naryshkin, the Parliament speaker.
Took me awhile to catch up on these Oligarchs and their deep involvement in Russian and Ukraine politics...which even slips over into our nation periodically. They know to be as close to all powers as possible.
When we speak of criminal elements keeping criminal elements at bay, it’s pretty much also how our Gov. operates just in a different way IMO. Although Bidens son getting his portion in Ukraine did put it right out there....and They don’t say throughout Washington to “watch your back” for nothing!
But Russians are a different people with a vastly different History than the US... Putin does know well just where his people are at and has a fine tuned pulse on them.
Oh yes, I realize what Putin did when and before he came to office...smooth as silk he rose until the opportunity was clearly in sight..and he didn’t have to do much..they came for him! Yeltzin , with little prodding from Oligarch Brez., was told who would succeed him...and gladly gave the reins to Putin. Brez. miscalculated greatly but as he said...saw the handwriting on the wall as he saw Putin take out the Oligarchs one by one and most fled to Europe or Israel. Though Brez. couldn’t give up his asperations to be at the top again...He hated Putin with an unendning passion and spent millions trying to bring Putin down. Taking risks no other oligarch would... even knowing there was a price on his head. He’s dead now...but what a run he had!..and a thorn in Putin;s side for sometime.
Yeltzin’s drinking did become a major problem...I don’t think he wanted to be Pres. any longer, but he sure wanted the perks. The pay out to him was substantial to leave in peace I understand.
Yeltzin couldn’t have replaced anyone in the gaps...he really wasn’t in charge....the “Family” was as they called themselves. They are the ones who chose Putin.
Medvedev is what a call a quieter side of Putin...but very much in lockstep. American leadership prefered working with Medvedev who was far less staunch then Putin...and more layed back. Which by the way was something Putin had to be “schooled” in...how to be less staunch in order to make him Presidential.
Interesting is that Putin likes Bush...I think because Bush respected Putin (with one eye open)...something he wanted from the International community but that the old cold warriors weren’t about to grant. When Putin and Bush met in Russia over 67 agreements in energy etc. were made...which speaks volumes.
I think many forget Putin is a businessman...he loves making the deals and all that’s entailed with them far more than he enjoys the current status with Ukraine....which is why they’ve been going after his business dealings of late. But he’s so far ahead in that respect. There’s always countries willing to do business and Putin doesn’t seem to have any border lines when doing business.