Vladimir The Vacant

[poliphilo]

I've always thought Putin was smart. Amoral, autocratic and smart. The consummate Machiavel. 

But Masha Gessen- who has met the man and written a book about him- thinks otherwise. In an article in the Telegraph Magazine she is quoted as saying he's "an idiot. He's an uneducated, uncurious man who has particular instincts in terms of holding on to power and is a talented manipulator. But that doesn't make him have even average intelligence..."

If Putin is an idiot but still runs rings around most other world leaders what does that tell us about them?

Comments

[qatsi]

It explains a lot. Like why his presumed grand designs for Brexit, Trump, etc., don't seem to lead anywhere. Yes, it destabilises other parts of the world, so he gets to appear strong and stable at home. But anything he might have done for Trump will likely backfire. Sometimes I think Putin is just a post-adolescent version of his eastern neighbour Kim.

As for other world leaders, it's the one about not having to outrun the lion.

[poliphilo]

I don't really understand what's going on between Trump and Russia. Most of the commentators write as though a rapprochement between the two countries would be a bad thing- and a return to the Cold War preferable.