PUTIN A KILLER OR CONFUSED POLITICIAN.(updated)

 

BY K P PASWAN.

President Joe Biden has called Russian president a Killer, because he is in the habit of eliminating his opponents by poisoning them. It was alleged that Alex Navalny, a dissident of Putin was poisoned by him, but Navalny was saved by timely treatment in Germany. Alexei Navalny is serving a three years sentence in a Russian prison. Nearly one decodes ago Putin was accused of poisoning a Russian defector, living in exile in UK, in this case, Putin’s dissident lost his life.

 NO MORE SUPER POWER. Now coming to Putin and his beloved Russia, we bear into mind that Russia is not a superpower, it lost the credential to Xi JINPING. Truth is that Russia is not even a regional power. While the world is reeling under over population, Russia is facing decline in population, due to some biological reasons, for which there is no explanation. When Russia, once known as USSR was at its zenith of military power, Putin was a hard-core KGB agent in East Germany and his distant neighbor was Angela Dorothy Merkel, the present Chancellor of West Germany. As an efficient KGB agent, Putin outwitted West German intelligence, so much so that West German intelligence remained a mute spectator, when the killer squad from Palestine massacred Jewish sportsmen during Munich Olympic

KGB OUT, MEN OF FORCE IN.

With the collapse of USSR, KGB also ceased to exist but it was replaced by a group of Generals and dreaded former KGB agents. The new entity is known as Men of Force and is completely under the control of Putin, who once himself shone as KGB agent This resulted in have a regime in Moscow, that looks increasingly antagonistic to the West and appears prone to ill-conceived and dangerous decisions, it is so because that, they have not forgotten their past achievements, even those achievements, meant, further shrinking of Russian economy. They are dedicated to Putin and they are more dedicated to spoils, that come with power. Western sanctions have isolated the economy and also isolated hard core Communists.

OPEN DEMOCRACY. Despite of a Killer Putin in power, Russia is now an open democracy and Putin is striving his best to do something for the poor. But he is racing against time, and it appears that the so-called supporters of open democracy, will not allow him to rest and sleep, unless he allows his opponents to fight like hell. Can Putin be forgiven? The US will continue to prosper without needing a helping hand from China. But US needs Putin  for a much greater role in international politics.

 Russian oil has made a leading player in central Asia, but economic success does not guarantee return of democracy. Back in 1990, the country had no money, no food and no nothing, but now, it had under its possession destructive nuclear weapons. Within the country, the surging politics and stagnant economy is palpable.  Putin has used his unlimited powers to pursue economic reforms with vigor and maintains that economic growth and stability comes ahead of political freedom. Pro democrats think that their problem is political system that hinges on one man named Putin. The issues, that worries both the Pentagon and Beijing, that whether Putin has the courage to long terms political reforms, which if succeeded would lead to shrinking of economy as most of the opponents of Putin, are corrupt, who in the name of democratic ideas are actively engaged in extorting money from young entrepreneurs. Opposite is the case of China where the nasty dictator Xi Jinping has not allowed the pro democrats to pollute the extraordinary economic achievements. Compelling political and economic situations cannot be managed by a former ruthless KGB agent. But what is the remedy and alternatives?

Administration under Boris Yeltsin, was devoted to free market, reforms of economy and collaborations with the west. Boris Yeltsin was not an ex KGB agent, in fact, he was not even a Communist in real sense. But under Putin, the government and corporations went to the members of Putin’s which formed the core of new politburo. Most members of the ruling class in Russia send their children to study in the West and they keep their fortunes in Western banks. Political and economic sanctions have allowed Putin to tighten his grip on power. Putin has urged the elites to store their wealth in Russia, instead of stashing them in offshore bank accounts. Now the fortunes of elites are tied closely to Russia, which means they are tied to Putin, the only way a new leader could emerge from among them is, if Putin himself starts to groom a successor. By constitutional manipulations, Putin avoided a leadership crisis, by making provisions through constitutional amendments, to remain in power for a long time. 65 years Putin is rumored to have developed Parkinson,so in a system, where all institutions have eclipsed by one personality, there is no way to know what happens, when he is gone? Putin has made everybody afraid of his departure. So if Pentagon was hoping of a Putin’s opponents with the help of West, would mount a palace coupe, they will be disappointed in the current system, there is a joke in the White House, what happens if Putin has a hard attack? Putin himself does not know the answer.

Russia under Putin is no longer a threat to NATO or the EU. Several states of Eastern Europe, once occupied by USSR have become independent and have joined EU and NATO, and are enjoying the fruits of real economic development. But these small sovereign states still admire Russia for some other reasons.Russians oil and gas companies have bought up large chunks of energy industries in eastern Europe and trying to buy more. When Russia seemed weak and friendly that was a minor worry. Now it is a big one Business footholds can soon become political bridgeheads, which coupled with weak politics creates a vulnerability to Russian influence—peddling and mischief making. Does it mean a new cold war? No, it means more confusion in the mind of Putin.

 A foreign threat, even a bogus one will help keep the electorate pliant whatever Putin decides to do. For example, Putin recently enjoined his ministers to protect the interest of Russians against the ethnic gangs (Mostly Muslims) who controls the street markets. Russia has turned its attention to the Middle East. Al Assad of Syria cannot survive without the help of Russia and fearing the fate of Vietnam war, US was forced to cooperate with Russia to drive out ISIS and ensured All Assad as president of a ravaged nation. Latest missiles supplied to Turkey and India by Russia, irked Pentagon and these two countries were warned not to purchase deadly weapons from Russia. Than there is Iran which is determined to inflict heavy damage to the Jewish state and US. Iran has moved closer to Russia and China, thus challenging the monopoly of US in Central Asia. Saudi Arabia is unlikely to support either Russia or China, and this step of the desert kingdom will strengthen US in its attempt to side-line China which is creating economic and political problems in the Middle East.

Putin is not a terrorist. He tried to remove the tarnished image of Russia by introducing first Vaccines for Covid 19, but once again Putin violated scientific laws by giving approval to emergency use of Vaccines without stage three trial. But a report in LANCET, Russian vaccines was found effective, but the damage was already done. Putin has been accused of interfering in the presidential election in USA. There are enough evidences to indict Putin and further actions are awaited from White House. Putin is also worried that China has displaced Russia from a super power to an ordinary nation which possess deadly nuclear arsenals. Russia faces 4000 kms porous border with China and Xi Jinping has claimed certain areas of Russia of its own.

 EVALUATION. Putin may be a bad guy,but he is not a killer.  He is needed by US to drive out jihadist and taming overambitious Iran and a frustrated Turkey. Russia can play an important role in a bi polar international politics. His departure may  not result in the birth of Western style of democracy in Russia.