Intelligence Squared
The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Putin, with Catherine Belton (Part One)
Mar 14, 2025
Catherine Belton, a Washington Post reporter and author of "Putin’s People," and Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor for The Economist, dive into Vladimir Putin's rise to power. They discuss how a network of KGB officers and oligarchs orchestrated his ascent. Belton reveals Putin's tactics of fear and corruption, while Ostrovsky analyzes his current ambitions, especially regarding Ukraine. They also explore the implications of Putin’s actions on global democracy and Western relations, highlighting the troubling trend of ‘strongman leadership’.
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Quick takeaways
- Putin's rise to power was supported by KGB networks and oligarchs who utilized corruption and fear to solidify his control over Russia.
- His aggressive foreign policy, especially towards Ukraine, reflects a shift from seeking Western acceptance to viewing it as a threat to his regime's stability.
Deep dives
The Evolution of a Strongman Leader
Vladimir Putin's rise to power exemplifies the characteristics of a strongman leader, marked by a cult of personality and a narrative of national crisis. Initially appointed as a weak figure, he capitalized on his perceived weaknesses to consolidate power and control over Russia. Putin’s strategic maneuvering allowed him to reflect the desires and fears of those around him, which contributed to his ascent within the Kremlin after the Yeltsin era. Over time, he transitioned from being viewed as a caretaker of Yeltsin's legacy to becoming a revolutionary figure intent on redefining Russia’s place in the world.
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