Putin’s Power Play: Deaths of Opponents Highlight Weakness of Regime
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been making headlines with his recent displays of power, including the deaths of his opponents. However, experts argue that these brazen acts actually highlight the weakness of his regime. While going after his opponents is nothing new for Putin, it is a clear indication of the inherent weakness of his personalistic regime.
The recent deaths of opposition leader Alexey Navalny and a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine last year are seen as part of Putin’s crackdown on his opponents. These actions come at a time when Russia is experiencing military wins, such as Ukraine’s withdrawal from the town of Avdiivka. It appears that Putin is relishing in flexing his unrivaled power, but experts suggest that this display is a sign of weakness rather than strength.
“To maintain a cult of personality, you have to use a lot of force,” says Matthew Schmidt, an assistant professor of national security and political science. He explains that this style of government, even if led by a strongman like Putin, is fundamentally weak. Putin is committed to maintaining an illusion of total power, and the recent deaths of his opponents serve as a message to others who may challenge him.
The death of the Russian pilot is believed to be a case of Russia protecting its military morale and sending a message to potential defectors. Schmidt explains that the message is clear: “We will find you anywhere in the world. We will kill you just to send a message to the next person thinking about it.” This display of power, while shocking, is not out of the norm for Putin’s regime, which has been accused of assassinations abroad for decades.
Navalny’s death, on the other hand, represents a major win for Putin. Navalny was a formidable threat to Putin’s regime, openly criticizing corruption in the Russian state and organizing anti-Kremlin protests. The specifics surrounding Navalny’s death remain unclear, but experts argue that the Kremlin is ultimately responsible. Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University, states that “If it were not for the regime, he would be alive.”
However, Navalny’s death also highlights Putin’s vulnerability. Miles suggests that if a person locked up in the gulag is considered too high a threat to live, it shows that Putin feels his position is extremely vulnerable. Schmidt adds that while Putin may have the power to arrest and kill at will, this coercive power is not an impressive form of strength. Navalny’s death is meant to send a message to other opposition leaders, but it also reveals Putin’s fear of potential challenges to his regime.
Despite these displays of power, experts argue that Putin’s control is not foolproof. Schmidt believes that the real victory will happen in the streets of Moscow, as Ukrainians liberate Russians from the Putinist idea of a ‘Russian world.’ While some may view Navalny’s death as a sign of weakness, Robert English, a professor at the University of Southern California, disagrees. He argues that it actually exemplifies how emboldened Putin feels and suggests that the West has underestimated Russia’s resilience and resourcefulness.
In conclusion, Putin’s recent displays of power through the deaths of his opponents may seem like a show of strength, but experts argue that they actually highlight the weakness of his regime. While Putin may have the ability to exert control and eliminate threats, these actions reveal his fear of potential challenges and his need to maintain an illusion of total power. The true test of Putin’s regime will be how the Russian people respond and whether they can liberate themselves from his authoritarian rule.
