The Intelligence from The Economist Falling tsar? Russians eye life after Putin
Nov 1, 2022
In this discussion, guests Arkady Ostrovsky, The Economist’s Russia editor, and Sarah Burke, Bureau Chief for Mexico and the Caribbean, dive into the shifting political landscape in Russia as elites begin to contemplate a future without Putin. They explore the potential scenarios for leadership change and the challenges posed in a repressed society. Additionally, they discuss Haiti's dire situation and the complexities of seeking UN intervention amid rampant gang violence. The conversation also touches on the historical significance and colonial legacy of the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Putin's Fragile Power
- Putin's stability-for-compliance deal is broken by the war in Ukraine, making Russia more brittle.
- Russians, wanting the war to end, now discuss Putin's exit and potential successors.
Post-Putin Russia
- Putin's centralized, personalized rule has weakened Russian institutions, making a similar successor unlikely.
- A post-Putin Russia will likely need Western normalization and an end to the war.
Putin's Potential Successors
- Potential successors include hardliners, but they lack political resources for long-term power.
- Figures like Mishustin, Sobyanin, and Kiriyenko have political capital and could lead a transition.
