The problem of Vladimir Putin is about the same as the problem of Russia.  Russia will endure, Putin will not.  Putin’s personal life is almost identical to his political life.  American politicians have in large part, the choice to stay in or get out of politics, with the exception of those who are high level criminals, who’s livelihoods depend on stayng in office.  Putin is of this sort.  And it may be a matter of his life as well as his financial fortunes which depend o his staying office.

Mr. Putin’s life expectancy is short, given his health record, and diet.  His decisions will be a result of his knowledge of his own mortality.  Expect him to do more with foreign affairs through military actions, and by doing more unnecessarily expend Russian lives and wealth.

We can assume that his team was responsible for the murder of the most recent opposition leader to die in the streets of Moscow.  It is so much like mafia.  The leader of the brotherhood orders and investigation of the murder.  So many lies.  As Shakespeare wrote, what a tangled web we weave, when first we plan to deceive.  Each lie makes the life of Vladmir Putin increasingly difficult, but he walks with the confidence of a sleep walker.  His end will be a surprise to him.

Recall, if you can the Cuba missile Crisis during the John Kennedy presidency.  There was a day when two messages were received from Moscow.  One from the Chairman of the Party and second one.  Kennedy chose which message to respond to.  The Kremlin still operates the way as the Tzar’s government.  The complications of this process may only be understood by the elite of Moscow.  There will be a day when Putin is no longer useful, as Catherine’s husband was no longer useful, or representative of Russia.

Russia is an eastern state, and so not an expansionist state.  This is a contradiction with communism which sought to be the world’s political system.  This failed, but the desire of a faction of Russian leaders still hold on to some precepts of communism.  Russia wealth and the standard of living of the Russian citizens would greatly increase, if it gave up the desires of expansion.  Russia will have nothing to fear if it gives up expansion, and allows more countries to join NATO, which is a true peace creating and maintaining organization.  Any perceived enemy of Russia which joins NATO will never attack Russia unless provoked.  The road to peace and prosperity for Russia is NATO expansion.