Guest Mark Galeotti discusses the implications of Alexei Navalny's death on Russia and Putin's regime, highlighting Navalny's fight against corruption and popularity as a threat to the Kremlin. The podcast delves into the mysterious circumstances of Navalny's poisoning, his resilience, and the uncertainty of a post-Putin Russia.
Navalny's charisma and anti-corruption message resonated with a wide audience in Russia.
Putin's regime's treatment of Navalny, from poisoning to imprisonment, highlights its brutality and lack of legitimacy.
Deep dives
Navalny's Strengths and Popular Support
Alexei Navalny was a charismatic and articulate speaker who had the ability to connect with a wide range of audiences, beyond the usual liberal constituencies. His focus on exposing corruption, particularly through slick and humorous videos, resonated with many Russians who were fed up with the rich and powerful exploiting the country. Navalny's popularity reached about 20% at its peak, despite facing efforts to silence and marginalize him.
Navalny's Imprisonment and Treatment
Navalny faced intimidation and attempts on his life, including a poisoning with the nerve agent Novichok. After surviving the attack, he chose to return to Russia, determined to show his commitment to the Russian people. However, he was imprisoned and subjected to harsh conditions, including being transferred to a prison camp in the freezing high north. The regime treated him with brutality, exposing him to cold and solitary cells, sleep deprivation, and other forms of mistreatment that could be considered borderline torture.
Implications of Navalny's Death and Putin's Responsibility
The circumstances surrounding Navalny's death remain unclear, with conflicting reports and a lack of transparency from the authorities. While it is uncertain whether Putin directly ordered his killing, it is unquestionable that Putin is ultimately responsible for creating the conditions that led to Navalny's demise. The treatment Navalny endured throughout his imprisonment, combined with the state's control over information and the insecure handling of his body after death, suggests both a cover-up and a sadistic form of murder. This tragic event further reveals weaknesses in Putin's regime, which resort to violence due to a lack of genuine support and legitimacy.
Alexei Navalny, Russia's opposition leader, is dead. His wife says that President Putin killed her husband while the Russian state denies any involvement. What does his death mean for the opposition, the Kremlin and the future of Russia?
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Guest: Mark Galeotti, historian, journalist and author of ‘We Need to Talk About Putin,’ ‘Putin’s Wars’ and ‘A Short History of Russia.’