Putin runs out of allies as new FSB generation could turn on him | Mark Galeotti

“These are people who don't have those kind of primal gut senses of loyalty to Putin.”

Putin could face a crisis of loyalty as he brings in new FSB directors with fewer ties to his inner circle, says Russia analyst Mark Galeotti.

[AirB-]

From a Canadian living in PL since 2008:
Back in 2022, at the start of the full scale ru invasion, many of my friends in North America were telling me: "Ohhh you will see!  The ru youth and population will revolt in the streets".
And I was always replying the same:
No they won't.  Why?
Because 12-years in PL certainly taught me a few things about the ru mentality, directly from Polish people, from University Teachers to (mostly) uneducated grandmas and "Older Boomers".  Most who have had first-hand experiences.
They all told me the same:  
"You must understand that ru is a country which has never experienced Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Thought!  And since (circa) 2006, this is a society which has had a "Mad Max style" level of propaganda gradually integrated in their Education system."
So if there are changes in ru, it will come from some unhappy faction at the very top.  Not from the ru society.

[EMarSounds]

When they turn on him I hope they turn him in, for his trial at ICC

[jessicarowley]

An interesting analysis. The changing of the guard in a dictatorship is always dangerous.

[xxjonboy]

What a beautifully fluent and informed commentary. I could listen to Mark Galeotti all day.

[johncarroll]

Times Radio must have posted a hundred videos in the past year predicting the imminent demise of Putin's leadership. All you have to do is read a tagline such as 'Putin's Generals are Running Out of Patience' or 'Russia's Economy is Tanking' to know it must be another Times Radio forecast.
As much as anyone else, I'd love to see Putin gone, but these endless dramatic predictions are getting on my nerves.

[hardclimate]

It's very sad how Russia has been reduced to having no genuine friends. In an ideal world Canada could have been a good friend to Russia when you consider how similar we are in terms of geography, climate and natural resources. So many areas could have been places for close co-operation (including sports - like hockey!) Because of one man - Putin - Russia is now a pariah in Canada and likely will be for decades to come - tragic, but that is the reality.

[vinniekrieg]

It must have made Putin feel pretty small to have to run to Kim in N Korea for help.

[evaluateanalysis]

I think the FSB has the most power in Russia. If they turn against Putin he is finished. So it is interesting to hear Mark's thoughts that a new generation in the FSB won't have the old dreams of the Soviet Union and now "Greater Russia" and will be more interested in a stable country that will enable them to make money and enjoy it. So won't have much patience with Putin's fantasies. I hope he's right.

[Britephartt]

These Times Radio titles are so optimistic. The quicker Putin's gone the better for everyone.

[kacee]

Someone please bring us peace! 🙏🏾 Putin must be stopped now!

[leerubin]

The BEST thing for Russia/Ukraine/ the world would be for Putin to go away, and the war to end. Russia pulls out of Crimea, the rest of Ukraine, and puts the blame on Putin.

[MassimoShire]

The very old Praetorians problem. Constantine had to disbande them.

[lawrencehawkins]

“Putin runs out of allies as new FSB generation could turn on him…” Putin. His mutts turning on him. Ripping him to shreds. Gee. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

[antoniograncino]

The Putin regime presented in 3-D: Dicey, Dodgy & Desperate

[stephenwright]

I love the bit where Mark has to clarify that although Karagnov is in bed with organised crime bosses, it's only metaphorically! 😂

[kimgarradine]

Why is putin making war when we all should be growing and exploring the universe and such hey. War is so negative and damaging

[alexandervladimirov]

An excellent review!!! Absolutely comprehensive!!!👏

[JustinTimeEnglishClip]

hanks for the knowledge and information!

[JoaoCosta-pnim]

The appearance that Putin’s hold on power is “very very solid” is what it is, appearance. Putin’s hold on power is just inertial for lack of a substitute to be able to gather the dissatisfaction and anxieties about Putin’s chain of misjudgments and mistakes. Anyone high up in the FSB, politics and Army see the terrible mistakes Putin has committed and how poor were his judgments and sense of timing and opportunity. It is clear Putin’s shelf life has expired. Those guys know Putin’s judgments can no longer be taken for granted and trusted. The problem is how to articulate his elimination without being caught beforehand, and how to act fast and control the chaos that will ensue. The Army could do that; the FSB/KGB probably not, because they will risk their own existence. Something unexpected will happen, and chaos will prevail for a while, until all Putin’s cronies are removed.

[bencarter]

There is no possibility a succession would lead to a friendlier Russia..It would be truly gloves off