<
https://theconversation.com/what-legacy-will-vladimir-putin-leave-russia-195444>
"“Nobody listened to Russia,” Vladimir Putin intoned in 2018, as he unveiled
the poisonous fruit of Russia’s military modernisation project: a
nuclear-powered cruise missile; a hypersonic glider; and a nuclear warhead atop
a drone submarine, designed to flood coastal cities with tsunamis. “Well,
listen up now.”
Whether it’s new weapons, threatening nuclear war, or illegally invading
sovereign states, Putin has a habit of seeking attention. In fact, it’s been
his most predictable strategic reflex. Combining a thirst for great power
status with a primitive nativism that has crossed over into xenophobia, Putin
has consistently sought to compel others to respect Russia, though having them
fear it will also apparently do.
But what sort of Russia will Putin leave behind for the millions of citizens at
whose expense he has enriched himself, both personally and politically?
As his disastrous war in Ukraine demonstrates, Putin’s achievements embody
anything but greatness. He will leave Russia geopolitically weakened,
economically little more than a Chinese vassal, its people viewed with
suspicion and hostility. Russia will have little more than a hefty nuclear
arsenal and a disregard for the laws of war to coerce its neighbours.
For those reasons, future Russian historians are likely to view Putin with
revulsion, not respect."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
