The perception of performance of a totalitarian regime centers entirely upon its leader. The attributions of success and failure all find their way to that leader ultimately to provide some reckoning as to whether the costs of submission were worth the necessary sacrifice of individual and societal liberties. Given sufficient time, as these attributes accumulate upon the balance sheet of history, a decision is rendered, from the outside and within, of whether history smiles upon that leader and, accordingly, the complicit nation in question, or turns away in disgust. Seen from without, Vladimir Putin’s Russia is acknowledged now by most nations as belligerent and threatening, devoid of humanity, and untrustworthy. From within, with its current trajectory, it is destined to become a failed state, contaminated by an innate and inherent corruption and incapable of adequately delivering the basic services needed for several of its widespread territories. After more than 20 years, Putin’s leadership has brought shame upon Russia and its people and economic circumstances that will continue to haunt the country in succeeding generations. It is time to look at Putin’s Russia from within. … More Domestic Putin (Part 2)