Over the past two years, as the Kremlin has annexed Crimea, waged a war of aggression against Ukraine, intervened in Syria, and otherwise threatened Euro-Atlantic security, the situation inside Russia has deteriorated. President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarianism has intensified.Putin’s reputation as a champion against a supposedly predatory West has solidified among the public. Aided by an atmosphere of intolerance that enjoys unspoken Kremlin support, authorities have cracked down on civil liberties. Political opposition figures have been poisoned and killed. As anti-Westernism has become widespread and authorities have argued in favor of returning to “traditional values” at a time of worsening economic …read more
Source: The American Interest
