It is hard to believe that a tragedy such as the
crash of the Russian commercial passenger plane, Kogalymavia Fight 9268, in Egypt could affect the course of political events in Russia. Afterall, it is simply an un-looked for
tragedy, with a high cost in lives cut short and grief for surviving family members.
However, such is the absorption in Russia with all things Putin that the government’s response to the tragedy could have profound political ramifications. Especially if the plane was sabotaged by Islamic terrorists, the cost of Putin’s Syrian gambit just rose to 224 innocent Russian and (a few) Ukrainian lives. Just as the price of Putin’s gambit in eastern Ukraine was the nearly 300 innocent lives lost in the downing of Malaysia Flight MH17 (not counting the thousands killed in the conflict on the ground).
What Putin fears most is that the tragedies in Ukraine or Syria will rebound upon the Russian people because, until now, he has convinced them that these adventures cost them nothing. At some point, the truth will pierce Putin’s massive deception and all hell will break loose.
However, such is the absorption in Russia with all things Putin that the government’s response to the tragedy could have profound political ramifications. Especially if the plane was sabotaged by Islamic terrorists, the cost of Putin’s Syrian gambit just rose to 224 innocent Russian and (a few) Ukrainian lives. Just as the price of Putin’s gambit in eastern Ukraine was the nearly 300 innocent lives lost in the downing of Malaysia Flight MH17 (not counting the thousands killed in the conflict on the ground).
What Putin fears most is that the tragedies in Ukraine or Syria will rebound upon the Russian people because, until now, he has convinced them that these adventures cost them nothing. At some point, the truth will pierce Putin’s massive deception and all hell will break loose.
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