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US propaganda to weaken his image or not
who would replace him another kgb type, what would happen to assad and syria ?
Glorious leader and general handsome man Putin not have cancer! Cancer is product of Western multicultural decadence and we have none of that!
He is picture of glorious leader on way in to work this morning as proof of his perfect manly health.
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Pisstaking aside, much as he's a malign influence on the world his systematic exorcising of any potential challengers or successors to his leadership means that any sudden exit from power would lead to a very messy period of deep internal strife.
Russian power struggles are historically very nasty affairs.
Any umbrellas involved?
Hatter: you're right on there. It's always generally better the devil you know with Russian leaders, no matter how mental they are.
His speech in Sochi contains some unpleasant truths.
hatter - Member
Pisstaking aside, much as he's a malign influence on the world his systematic exorcising of any potential challengers or successors to his leadership means that any sudden exit from power would lead to a very messy period of deep internal strife.Russian power struggles are historically very nasty affairs.
As long as they leave Ukraine alone, and the average Russian man, woman, and child on the street doesn't suffer, then let the regime fall hard.*
*Highly unlikely, I know.
Pisstaking aside, much as he's a malign influence on the world his systematic exorcising of any potential challengers or successors to his leadership means that any sudden exit from power would lead to a very messy period of deep internal strife.Russian power struggles are historically very nasty affairs.
I don't think that's true. Putin was brought to power by a clique and that same clique will have succession ideas in mind. The transition from Yeltsin to Putin, and from Putin to Medvedev and back again, were all peaceful and stable affairs.
He's been off-colour for a bit now
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Given the shit storm with mad Boris after Gorbachov left power, possibly better the devil we know....
I think that falls into the "Big Man" fallacy. you just end up with Burkina Fasos that way.
edit: and the transition from Yeltsin to Putin was peaceful and orderly too (entirely undemocratic obviously).
Putin was brought to power by a clique and that same clique will have succession ideas in mind.
Yup and that clique are now entirely reliant on Putin's power structures for their (immense) wealth and protection.
Of those that put him in power, the ones with the charisma and leadership potential to replace him have been sidelined, jailed or exiled and the rest, enfeebled by years of nepotism and comfy living, are now reliant on the system that revolves round Putin.
Putin has deliberately made himself the keystone, if he wasn't he'd have been challenged already. If he goes everything crumples. He knows this and those under him know it.
Medvedev wouldn't last 6 months without Putin's patronage behind him.
All in all great for Putin, not so good for Russia, but that's Putinism neatly summarized.