No dictatorship lasts forever, and all dictators are mortal. Putin, due to his age alone, may "kick the bucket" very soon, although, unlike ordinary Russians, he can afford proper medical care. The events in Syria are clearly a significant blow to his nervous system and
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heart health. Such a scenario is now easy to imagine within Russia itself. The fall of Assad created a power vacuum in Syria, and now several countries are advancing their interests. Sunnis backed by Turkey, Kurds supported by the U.S., factions supported by Israel, Iran and
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remnants of Hezbollah, along with the remains of Russian units — all of it has become a chaotic mix. It's far too early to speak of an end to the crisis. Stability in Syria will not return soon. Over the years, Assad destroyed the moderate opposition, leaving only the most
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extreme radicals. After so many years of brutality, it's highly likely that the oppressed will now become the oppressors. The footage from Syrian prisons is horrifying, but this could be repeated if a new dictatorship is established or if the country slides into another civil
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war. The leaders of the rebel group "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" are radical Islamists, and it's hard to say how much their promises can be trusted. However, what is happening in Syria may also await Russia. Putin has spent years crushing the moderate opposition, and when his
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power begins to collapse, radicals will inevitably seize the opportunity to make their move in the ensuing power vacuum. The war is flooding Russia with cheap weapons, which are being sold illegally by soldiers themselves. The Caucasus remains restless, and Kadyrov's
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position has also become shaky. People are taking him less seriously, and they no longer fear his threats. Kadyrov's men recently lost a minor "battle" over the Wildberries marketplace. Other Chechen clans and Dagestanis have noticed this and are ready to begin re-dividing
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businesses and spheres of influence. Violence is inevitable. By destroying anyone who could have helped the country recover from a post-war crisis after Russia loses and its economy fully collapses,
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Putin has ensured that the country will fall into chaos, paving the way for the most radical opponents to rise to power.
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