Putinβs downfall may not come tomorrow or the day after, but his grip on power is certainly more tenuous than it was before he invaded Ukraine.
Here is a link to the piece without the paywall:
Russia is weaker as a result of its war on Ukraine. But it retains the capability & will to challenge the US and Europe. The US must remain prepared to confront RU however beleaguered by war it may be.
My new piece in @nytopinion w/ @KofmanMichael.
1/ Just out with a new piece in @ForeignAffairs w/ @KofmanMichael: "Putinβs Point of No Return: How an Unchecked Russia Will Challenge the West."
A few points I hope the incoming administration will take onboard:
Russian President Vladimir Putin found an opportunity to shift the blame for election meddling onto Ukraine, according to former Deputy National Intelligence Officer, Andrea Kendall-Taylor. cbsn.ws/322KCbD
Russia's war effort in Ukraine has benefitted from China, Iran, and North Korean support. But their collaboration in Ukraine is just the tip of the iceberg.
Read our take (@RHFontaine) on the Axis of Upheaval. 1/
Paywall free link: foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redβ¦.
It is not in Putin's interest to end the war in Ukraine. Fighting on makes sense for Putin personally for one fundamental reason: wartime autocrats rarely lose power.
My new piece in @ForeignAffairs w/ Erica Frantz.
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Biden team is prioritizing anti-corruption, viewing it as a national security imperative.
This should be near the top of the agenda for greater Transatlantic cooperation on addressing Russia and China.
Countering the Axis of Upheaval starts in Ukraine. Defeating Russia there is the most impactful way to thwart this rising challenge. Washington should not ignore Russian aggression in Europe to focus on rising Chinese power in Asia. They are linked.
With all the focus on China, @KofmanMichael and I urge Washington to avoid the temptation of looking past Russia to focus on China--Moscow will remain a persistent power and should be rightsized in US thinking and strategy.