The Secret of Putin’s Survival (Andrei Kolesnikov, Project-Syndicate)

Two years ago, a long process of growing authoritarianism and isolationism under President Vladimir Putin culminated in Russia’s annexation of Crimea. But even as much of the international community condemned the move, Russians seemed to welcome it. Indeed, the peninsula’s “return” to Russian control had a profound effect on public sentiment – one that seems to have strengthened Putin’s grip on power, even as Russia faces deepening political and economic challenges

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/secret-of-putins-survival-by-andrei-kolesnikov-2016-06