The end of the Russian Federation

I couldn't help thinking a while ago that Russia was starting to spiral. When Putin put up his hand for another shot as President, altering the constitution to do so, was the beginning. 

It was confirmed with to me with Gorbachev the former Soviet Union leaders comments from The New York Times. Gorbachev is usually supportive of Putin.

“With every passing day, more and more Russians are ceasing to believe that the results of the elections were honest,” Mr. Gorbachev said in an interview with the Interfax news agency. “In my view, ignoring public opinion will discredit the authorities and destabilize the situation. That is why I think the government should make but one decision: annul the results of the elections and hold new ones.”

It will be interesting what Putins next move will be. He is looking more and more like a dictator who is enjoying the power. 

It is a shame after his first two terms he didn't retired gracefully, history would have judged his as the best Russian leader for over a century.

Arsenals of Folly:: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race, Richard Rhodes

 

I'm currently reading "Arsenals of Folly: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race" by Richard Rhodes, just a few quick thoughts::

::Amazed my that when Gorbachev and Regan meet in private. Regan had to use cue cards. ? beginning of Alzheimer's.

:: Regan was a man of contradictions. He was deeply religious, convinced of  Armageddon and End Times. Yet was happy for his son who worked for playboy as a writer to interview him.

:: Gorbachev was the master politician more so than anyone I know. He worked the Regan administration, more importantly he had the measure of the internal government of the Soviet Union. If he had not been there, I'm convinced there would have been a civil war or a Stalinist Regime. He is one of the major reasons for prosperity of Russia today.

:: I was surprised at how early on Regan provoked the Russians and how nearly they responded. This period was very similar to the Cuban missile crisis.

I thought that Richard Rhodes' making of the Atomic Bomb was great. This book I rate just as highly.