The road that Trump set America on

New York Times, 5/23/2022

Mr. Putin orders them to keep people in fear, to incite hatred, to stifle freedom of thought — and each of them contributes to that mission. Thanks to them, the state penetrates every corner. Across society, they build imitations of Mr. Putin’s regime — in local government, the charity sector, even volunteer associations — just to prevent anyone from starting something not subservient to the state. Mr. Putin forgives these people corruption, torture, you name it, as long as they successfully guard the ward. They all work in different ways, but together they sap citizens’ willpower and strengthen their obedience. As they say in Russia, half the country is in jail, and half the country are the guards. 

Of course, life is more complicated than any metaphor, especially in Russia’s atomized society. There are many people in Russia who are neither the patients nor the attendants in Mr. Putin’s penal asylum — as shown by the wide cross-section of society that immediately opposed the war. Scientists, students, charity workers, architects and even famous entertainers took to the streets and signed petitions. When this show of resistance was met with repression, many of the independent-minded left Russia altogether.

10/26/2019 update, "The White House as satellite office of the Kremlin (the continuing saga)", starts here.

Reported in Trump lifting all sanctions against Turkey, says Syria cease-fire is now 'permanent'.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/23/2019)


10/23/2019 update starts here.

Putin and Erdogan Announce Plan for Northeast Syria, Bolstering Russian Influence.  (The New York Times, 10/22/2019)

Part 1 starts here.

Photo attribution:  www.kremlin.ru

Reported in For Trump the Dealmaker, Troop Pullouts Without Much in Return.  (The New York Times, 10/21/2019)

Related post:
Trump on his Putin relationship: I know him, I know him not.  (7/30/2016)