09-14-2022, 02:15 PM
(09-14-2022, 02:06 PM)GK3 Wrote: Some thought provoking comments. What "3rd Parties" do you envision willing to act against Putin? I see the Oligarchs only interested in keeping what they have and if they can't get more, leave. My thoughts are that most of their assets are outside of Russian political boundaries at this point. What other power center exists in Russia outside of the Army? I don't see the Oligarchs as being able to stop a rebellion by the military. Is the FSB strong enough? A charismatic General or two might change the picture significantly.I think the FSB is strong enough. The FSB also has elite military units attached that are considered "reliable", i.e. they will do what the FSB says. However, as you point out there are few power centers that operate "nationwide" in Russia. The military is one. The FSB is another, and it has the ability to not only operate nationwide but to do so in absolute secret. The military doesn't have that because it is penetrated (by design) with FSB operatives. I am sure the FSB would take advantage of a charismatic general but would not install him as the "leader". They would ensure it was somebody publicly credible but also at least temporarily "reliable".