In the years I’ve been blogging, now six or seven or more, I’ve not, as I recall, repeated any titles. To this rule there is one exception.
The first in a series, many moons ago, was called, “Putin Patrol.” Since then, have been countless subsequent posts titled, “Putin Patrol… Continued….” – and now here’s another. The old KGB operative has not lost his touch. He still knows how to control a room.
For about a month now much of the world has pivoted on Putin’s axis. He has led; the rest, especially the West, has followed. The West has had no choice but to respond to Putin’s aggression, leaving it, us, in the uncomfortable position of playing the subordinate to Putin’s superior. Sure, the U.S. and NATO have strode and strutted, posed, and postured, to make us seem strong. But let’s be clear. Russia has been the actor, the West, including, ironically, Ukraine, has been the reactor.
Here though is the question. Up to now Putin has been the leader, and Biden and company the followers. But can the Russian count on his dominance to persist? Seems to me the answer is no. Seems to me the status quo can last only so long. And, seems to me once it gives way, so does Putin’s capacity to control.
President Vladimir Putin is virtually solely responsible for the recent crisis on the European continent. He has been the lead actor. But the situation he created cannot indefinitely endure. The risk for him is that when the earth moves, his power, authority, and influence will not be expanded but diminished.
Richard Haass, president of the Council of Foreign Relations, was asked this weekend if he thinks Putin is a rational actor. Or is he crazy? Haass replied, “I don’t know.”