From reading ISW, my impression is that Putin is a moderate in Russian politics.
Yes, many hate the war and his dictatorship. But there are also some in Russia (including potential successors) that are more militant than Putin, and think he held back too much, that he’s not nationalist enough.
He keeps these people in line.
…And it makes me afraid of who might take his place.
From reading ISW, my impression is that Putin is a moderate in Russian politics.
Yes, many hate the war and his dictatorship. But there are also some in Russia (including potential successors) that are more militant than Putin, and think he held back too much, that he’s not nationalist enough.
He keeps these people in line.
…And it makes me afraid of who might take his place.
Whoever takes his place will not have such a strong grip on everyone, so there will be a massive internal fight for power.
This is what all those Freedom of Russia legions are preparing for.
What’s left to fight with? The old, the weak, and the nukes. Their best hardware is largely destroyed and most capable soldiers are all dead.