Continue reading »]]> As alluded to yesterday, I began a short discussion about Vladimir Putin with a friend on Facebook.  Spurring on the discussion was her happiness was Time magazine naming Putin Man of the Year.  I opined that I am a bit more skeptical about Putin and his brand of politics.  Our brief discussion included some reference material for me to understand Putin better.  I also did a Google search of the news sites for some more information.

On the surface, being Man of the Year appears to be an endorsement from Time.  In fact, I would venture to think most people would view the award as such.  Nevertheless, it is important to remember the words of Richard Stengel managing editor of Time Magazine.  “Stengel stressed that being chosen person of the year was “not an endorsement” and “not a popularity contest” and that Time chose individuals who had made the biggest impact on world events, “for better or for worse.”“  In fact, in the past, Joseph Stalin and Adolph Hitler have both been Time’s Man of the Year.

However, let us get back to Putin whose legacy likely will join the ranks of “for worse” impact on world events.  CNN has an excellent primer about Putin entitled the insider’s guide to Vladimir Putin.  In addition, Time’s piece on Putin is an excellent read, and presents the good with the bad. Below you will find my comments and musings about Putin.

Putin has strong support and high popularity in Russia.  This support and popularity stem from Putin’s ability to bring “stability after the rollercoaster ride of the post-Soviet years which saw state industries sold off cheaply, soaring inflation and millions dumped into poverty amid economic mismanagement and chronic corruption.” In fact, his approval rating often hovers around 70%. When you have a 70% approval rating, it is hard to do any wrong. However, I still wonder about the “people” of Russia, and if they are happy with Putin or merely willing to tolerate his rise to power because in coincides with their rise from ashes. One just need examine the recent controversy about the State Duma elections to understand my skepticism.

On the surface, it somewhat surprises me that Putin is willing to step down from his presidency as dictated by the term limits.  Then again, I wonder with such strong support if Putin is giving up any real power to his successor.  If Putin does not like the direction of the country, he has the votes and popularity to make a change. Not to mention, Putin’s preferred successor Dmitry Medvedev (nearly 60% support in the upcoming election) will largely be a puppet with no real power without the endorsement and support of Putin.

One need only examine Medvedev’s rise to power to understand his attachment to Putin’s coat strings. Medvedev was head of Putin’s political headquarters during the year 2000 elections. He is Putin’s former chief of staff, a job he left when Putin appointed him First Deputy Prime Minister in 2005. Therefore, Medvedev’s power is directly attributable to Putin – resulting in a puppet ruler.  Medvedev is on record as stating he will select Putin as Prime Minister of Russia. With Putin’s Unified Russia political party holding a constitutional majority, the party can pass federal laws and make changes to the constitution. With that power, it will not be long before the once figurehead position of Prime Minister is given real power in Russia, and the President becomes second fiddle.

If you still question Putin’s power, read today’s Guardian Unlimited article Putin, the Kremlin power struggle and the $40bn fortune.  The Guardian reports Putin has an interest in several companies (many state run) that is worth $40bn or more.  Of course, Putin’s name appears no where on stock certificates.  All his interests are held by a string of complicated off shore corporations.  Further reading reveals “the dilemma now facing the Kremlin’s elite is how to hang on to its wealth if Putin leaves power, experts say.”  Yet one more reason Putin will not truly cede any real power to his successor.  You see, “Putin…is ultimately a “classic” businessman who believes money can solve any problem… A problem that can’t be resolved with $1bn can be resolved with $10bn, and if not with $10bn then $20bn, and so on.”

With all this power, during Putin’s tenure, he has put strong limits on the press. The press is now nearly 100% the voice of the government with complete censorship of non-sanctioned articles. If Putin does not want it printed, it is not printed. In the unlikely chance that an article is printed, there are consequences. It seems reporters have a tendency to die unexpectedly in Russia. As Time reported, “his government has shut down TV stations and newspapers, jailed businessmen whose wealth and influence challenged the Kremlin’s hold on power, defanged opposition political parties, and arrested those who confront his rule.” Add it all up, and I wonder if the high popularity of Putin is not attributed to all the “good press” he receives within his country when the “bad press” is censored. Case in point, “State-controlled television featured the news [of Putin being named Man of the Year] prominently on Wednesday but did not mention what Time called the “dark side” of Putin’s presidency.” 

Ultimately, I care what goes on in Russia from a human rights standpoint, and my concern for her economy is limited to its effect on the global stage. Call me selfish, but, in the end, I am worried about what is best for me. With that in mind, my concern is about Putin’s continued consolidation of power, and his plans for the country. Is Putin staging his country for an expansion? My fear is that of another cold war with Putin at the helm of a war machine set on proving its strength and importance to the world through occupation. Of course, Putin flatly denies such talk. Yet, I still wonder if that is his hidden agenda.

In addition, to think Putin will play fair is wrong. Putin is a former KGB officer that  worked in East Germany during the Cold War. Due to this, I completely believe Putin is capable of subterfuge in his dealings with the global community. As a result, his true agenda remains hidden to the global community. The question is of course, “what is his true agenda?” I cautiously wonder if his true agenda not only involves controlling the interior goings on of Russia but is much more expansionistic and threatening to the United States and other countries standing in Putin’s way.