Putin's War Exposes His Declining Power and Strategic Missteps, Says Former Speechwriter

Abbas Gallyamov worked as a speechwriter for Putin for 3 years and found him to be rational and patient in meetings. However, Putin is a hypocrite who believes rules don't apply to him.
Putin is not driven by a desire to restore the Soviet Union, but escalates conflicts abroad to strengthen his domestic political standing when it weakens.
Putin disastrously misjudged Ukraine's preparedness for war and the capability of Russia's hollowed-out institutions filled with lies and corruption.
Putin escalated the war to boost his declining popularity ahead of elections, but military failures have exposed his weakness and increased instability.
If Putin appoints a successor to change course, it could allow him to step down and avoid revolution. But his archaic rule based on fear means perceived weakness may doom him.

newsweek.com

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