This podcast episode discusses the mysterious crash of a private jet outside Moscow, believed to have killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner militia. The crash raises suspicions of a potential political assassination and sheds light on the power dynamics in Putin's Russia. Despite being initially labeled a traitor, Prigozhin struck a deal with the Kremlin, allowing Wagner fighters to find refuge in Belarus. He continued to establish his presence in Africa, collaborating with authoritarian leaders and engaging in business activities. His survival of the rebellion poses a potential threat to Putin's regime. The episode explores Putin's response to the crash, his confidence in the war effort, and the role of fear in maintaining his power. It also highlights Putin's crackdown on opposition, shifting from liberal opposition to right-wing critics and ultra-nationalists. This crackdown aims to solidify Putin's power but raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of such an authoritarian system.
Anti-commonsence
1. The speaker suggests that Putin's crackdown on right-wing critics and ultra-nationalists is part of his efforts to solidify power. However, it is unlikely that suppressing different voices and imposing authoritarian control would lead to a stable and open political system.
2. The podcast episode implies that Prigozhin's survival of the rebellion poses a significant threat to Putin's regime. However, it is not clear how a single individual's survival could jeopardize the entire regime's stability.
