Consider This from NPR
Vladimir Putin's Horrible, Terrible, but in the End Pretty Good Year
Episode guests
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Quick takeaways
- Putin successfully eliminated potential threats to his regime and emerged on top despite ongoing challenges and criticism.
- Putin's ability to navigate Western sanctions and maintain partnerships with countries like India and China has helped him effectively manage the Russian economy.
Deep dives
Putin's Year in Review: From Rebellion to Confidence
The year 2023 began with challenges for Russian President Vladimir Putin. His war in Ukraine was not going well, and his close ally, Yevgeny Progogian, openly criticized the war and questioned the reasons for the invasion. However, as the year ends, Progogian is dead, the US Congress is consumed with border funding, and Western support for Ukraine is dwindling. Putin, on the other hand, feels confident that Russia has the upper hand in Ukraine and in its struggle against the West. He recently announced his intention to run for a fifth term as president, taking advantage of constitutional reforms that reset his term count to zero. While there will be other candidates on the ballot, Putin is expected to have no real competition. Furthermore, political repression has intensified in Russia, with over 20,000 arrests and heavy sentences for even minor infractions of dissent. As the year comes to a close, Putin appears to be on top again, despite ongoing challenges and criticism.
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