How much does he matter you think? After reading the article, did you get the impression that all the colorful characters will suddenly change their ways after Putin dies? It seems the whole thing is very very loosely organized. More Camorra than Cosa Nostra. They kinda off like reverse James Bonds, but not exactly.
Well, a power struggle would be quite the thing to watch. At least for me. Kinda like what happened when Stalin died. (My personal forecast excludes return to democracy; it includes something similar to what happened after Stalin died).
Yes, I think the chance to soft-land USSR into a democracy was missed by the West in the 90s. I don't see how the brainwashed population and their globe trotting elite will change their views now. It did not have to be this way.
I thought the same way back in 90s. I also thought that a western-aligned Russia would have helped counter act some of China's ambitions. (I was quite puzzled by my college economics professor when he kept saying that increasing trade with China will make China more like the West)
Instead of that, the West more or less nudged Russia in China's arms....It did not have to be this way....
