A Deeper Dive into Putin

Much of what we might personally know about Vladimir Putin, Russia's President for Life, is perhaps only bits and pieces. We might know that Putin was married and divorced. We might know that he was a KGB officer in his early career, resulting in a man who was trained by experts in the art of intimidation. And, of course, we know he is the man who ordered the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, and threatened a reign of destruction on anyone he believed was interfering with his plans there.

But who is Vladimir Putin? What is he really like? How will history judge him?

To answer these questions, we would need to take a deeper dive into Putin the man, from those who either know him or have studied him. Volumes have been already written on Putin. Below are a few I've come across recently and believe are worth a glance.

Red Notice

Bill Browder has been called "Putin's number one enemy." Browder tells of the story of his Russian attorney, Sergei Magnitsky, who was beaten to death in a government prison after asking too many questions. (Later, the Magnitsky family's attorney was tossed off of a four story building, but fortunately lived.) Browder helped to pass Magnitsky Law, to sanction individuals and organizations, rather than nations, involved in human-rights abuses. Browder's book is Red Notice, available for free download in Russian on Browder's website.

Putin v the People

Written in 2019 by two academics, Putin v the People argues that Putin's endurance as a ruler is due as much to apathy as it is to Putin's prowess as head of state. For example, if they are correct, then Putin's adventure in Ukraine might be more of an attempt to silence and dissuade his many critics and further consolidate his power, than an enterprise with any enduring national benefits for Russia.

The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin

Masha Gessen is a Russia-born investigative reporter, who grew up in the United States and returned to Russia, until she, too, found out she was asking too many questions and had to quickly leave. Gessen wanted to know how did Putin become Putin? We learn at an early age, perhaps 10 or 11, Putin became a student of "Sambo," a form of Russian martial arts. Putin's father worked with the NKVD, the predecessor of the KGB, and it was at an early age that Putin decided to make the KGB his career. Once on the job, he told a friend, who asked him what he did in the KGB that, "I'm an expert in human relations." Gessen's book is The Man Without a Face.

Putin's Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia?

In a typical year, said the late author Karen Dawisha, corruption and bribery costs Russia over $300 Billion a year. Russia is run by a trifecta of top government officials, the KGB, and the Russian Mafia. Dawisha labeled it a "kleptocracy," with Putin as its chief architect. Cambridge University Press, which published her other books, was afraid to publish this one. Dawisha suggested Russian influence is used to suppress institutions that would dare expose their scheme. Putin's Kleptocracy was published in 2015.

We Need to Talk About Putin

Meet the world's most dangerous man, says the author of We Need to Talk about Putin. Mark Galeotti?teaches courses in courses in espionage and organized crime and is a fellow at a leading defense think tank in the UK. Too many myths surround Putin, says Galeotti. He believes Putin is driven and motivated by power more than money.

Summary

Putin, I believe, is a product of the Soviet Union. But the "formal" Soviet Union crashed in 1991. By the end of the decade, Putin was appointed acting President of Russia, at 47 years of age. Putin has maintained his position of power ever since, silencing or jailing his opposition, limiting the press, and blaming most of Russia's problems on others.

The above books offer different and studied perspectives on who Putin really is and what he stands for. ■

Who do you believe Putin is? Is he crazy or insane? How long will Putin retain his grip on power?