Putin’s Ironic Potential
Project Syndicate excerpt
By censoring the media,
discrediting moderate opposition, and provoking popular discontent,
Putin is playing with fire. It is impossible to predict when Russia will
detonate, but the system’s fissures are undeniable – and growing.
The
Kremlin, far from being able to control the situation, does not fully
grasp what is happening. Russia is moving toward precipice. Massive
capital flight and efforts by Kremlin cronies to engineer a safe landing
for themselves in the West show that, even in the eyes of Putin’s
cohorts, the end of his époque is approaching.