Recommended Reading (Alert)
March 19,2022
I came across an article today in the Atlantic that I know is spot on in its analysis. The article is titled, “Vladimir Putin Has Fallen Into the Dictator Trap.” I highly even urgently recommend Professor Brian Klass’s article.
Here’s the passage that impresses me the most because it distills the autocrat’s thinking perfectly, “As a result, despots rarely get told that their stupid ideas are stupid, or that their ill-conceived wars are likely to be catastrophic. Offering honest criticism is a deadly game and most advisers avoid doing so.”
I think the reason for my reaction is that I also saw the Frontline documentary on Putin and in it is a video showing how Putin “dressed down” his own Chief of Intelligence for not perfectly stating his support for Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine. When the man said, “I would support the plan” Putin went directly to telling the man what he must say, correcting him a couple more times when the startled man failed to say exactly what Putin wanted him to say. “Would, or do?” was Putin’s chilling question. It was almost like watching a Hollywood movie which has such a scene. Eerie and chilling at the same time.
Parenthetically, did you know that a new Congressman is told on their first day (as “orientation”) that their Party is the first thing they are to keep in mind, regardless of the subject or bill that may be under consideration? Party before country?!
Only one part of Professor Klass’s article do I disagree with and that’s when he said, “It’s certainly possible that his mind has succumbed to his own propaganda, creating a warped worldview in which the invasion of Ukraine was, as Trump put it, an incredibly ‘savvy’ move.” Okay — we plainly see how Putin has put the leaders of the Free World off balance, they are still emphasizing “the threat” of Putin using nuclear weapons. This is another myth probably created to provide cover for exactly the kind of stupidity we see world leaders being guilty of. Trump knows as does Professor that Putin has succeeded in stymying both the US and its European allies. Stopped them in their tracks, giving Putin more time to complete his depredation of the Ukraine. Putin one, the Western Powers zero. Trump was just ahead of his enemies again.
Further, what Professor says about the increased risk to Putin is also aimed at being savvy about Putin’s real situation (bad) and his intelligence (low).
Putin can be as smart or stupid as anyone, at any time. He for example does not really have the ability to launch an instant nuclear strike (despite what the media loves to project). Putin’s chain of command cannot be counted upon to destroy both “the enemy” and their own families and friends. Maybe they have higher priorities than Vlad. (Sarcasm) And that’s not counting the inevitably inferior Russian hardware. Russia is just a Dog Patch nation compared to countries in the West.
Putin’s only weapon is to make us anxious and afraid. Ironically, our own officials and the Press are helping him make us afraid of him.
Professor Klass elaborates even more fully. Read his article in the Atlantic, you will feel even more assured.