Opinion Putin may have accidentally orchestrated his own demise

[Quixote1818]

Feb. 26, 2022, 3:30 AM MST
By Ruth Ben-Ghiat, MSNBC Opinion Columnist
Shortly before he invaded Ethiopia in 1935, Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini stated, “I follow my instincts, and I am never wrong.” That war bankrupted the state, but it made him popular with Italians as the restorer of the Italian empire. It also further inflated his ego. In 1940, against the advice of many of his generals, Il Duce entered World War II alongside Adolf Hitler. He counted on a quick win and lasting glory, but instead dragged Italy through a disastrous war that ended with his own execution by anti-fascist partisans in 1945.

These dramatic events, and the terrible toll of strongman leadership, come to mind as Russian President Vladimir Putin embarks on a risky war against Ukraine. He is motivated by a desire to secure his place in history as the leader who revived a version of the Soviet empire. It could backfire on him in multiple ways.

After 22 years in power, Putin's governance style and structures resemble those that have led past autocrats to make bad decisions. The recent photographs of him at enormous tables, absurdly distant not just from foreign heads of state but from members of his own security council, suggest a state of isolation common among leaders who have exercised too much power for too long.

More: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/russia-s-ukraine-invasion-could-lead-putin-s-downfall-n1289955

[sheshe2]

1. I read that earlier tonight.

Good article, just emotionally drained and did not have the energy.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Every despot does.

And every despot thinks he won't repeat history.

[LiberalFighter]

3. I like the end of the first paragraph.

[Eliot Rosewater]

4. Sure hope so.

I dont get it, he and a handful of his murderous friends have stolen ALL of the money from the Russian people, they are the richest thieves on earth, and now they are making sure they wont be able to spend it. Makes no sense.

And if this is all about his ego, then we should be worried that he will use nukes.

[Skittles]

5. BRING IT ON

YES INDEED

[benpollard]

6. That's what I was thinking...

Pretty much the entire world is against his actions in Ukraine. It's not possible for one country to win a war against... THE WORLD.

So maybe some good will come from all of this. Perhaps people in countries moving towards authoritarianism will see the error in their ways and instead embrace democracy. We can only hope.

[Jarqui]

7. I'm sure his assassination has been discussed ... nt