With an economy smaller than Italy’s and going nowhere except down; a long-lasting demographic crisis shrinking his military recruiting base; a nation looted, impoverished, dummied-down, repressed, and wary of additional wars; neighboring countries seeking the overthrow of his authoritarian sycophants and a Kremlin political elite averse to reform as long as the state can suppress civil society and media, Putin’s threats against Ukraine and NATO – if carried out – would be the most monumental of Putin’s several earlier follies. An invasion and occupation of Ukraine would result in Russia’s economic collapse, long-standing “pariah” status, and a military debacle. Quite possibly the loss of his throne.
Read Full Article »
