May 05, 2022

Is Russia Better Off Without Putin? The Answer is Changing.

As the U.S. and its allies increase their commitment to arming Ukraine, there’s growing speculation over President Joe Biden’s endgame. Although the White House has gone to great lengths to say the United States does not have a policy of promoting regime change in Russia, there’s no question that there has been much discussion in private conference rooms and over kitchen tables about whether the United States should, in fact, be rooting for Vladimir Putin to be removed as Russia’s president.

To figure out whether we would be better off without Putin, though, we first need to weigh something else: How would Putin’s departure from power affect Russia? Would a leader or system that came after him be better or worse?

In all likelihood, authoritarianism in Russia will persist beyond Putin.

For years, many within the Russia-watching community have argued that Putin’s departure would likely unleash instability inside Russia and exacerbate its foreign aggression. For instance, a new leader who needed to consolidate power could stoke nationalist or anti-Western undercurrents already present in Russia to boost public support. Or, lacking Putin’s ability to balance Russia’s competing factions, elite infighting could spark political upheaval and violence that could destabilize the country, which after all is a nuclear power. According to this line of reasoning, Putin’s critics should be careful what they wish for: a Russia without Putin could be even worse for the West.

Read the full article from POLITICO.

  • Podcast
    • April 30, 2025
    Ukraine Negotiates for its Future

    There’s been a flurry of activity on the Ukraine front this week. Over the weekend, Donald Trump briefly met with Zelensky in Rome during ceremonies for Pope Francis’ funeral....

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend

  • Video
    • April 14, 2025
    Trump ‘Humiliated’ as Putin Sends Clear Message That He Doesn’t Care About US

    "Putin is not playing ball." Putin's Palm Sunday attack on Sumy is "embarrassing for the White House" as it comes just days after Steve Witkoff met with the Kremlin, says adju...

    By Jim Townsend

  • Podcast
    • April 11, 2025
    The Hidden Past and Uncertain Future of the U.S. and Ukraine with Celeste Wallander

    Under the Trump administration, U.S. support for Ukraine is no longer guaranteed. President Trump's pause on aid and intelligence to Ukraine in March may have been brief, but ...

    By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Celeste Wallander

  • Video
    • April 9, 2025
    Is Russia Under Pressure?

    Since 2014, the United States and its allies have provided increasing military support to Ukraine while imposing more and tougher economic sanctions on Russia, especially sinc...

    By Jeffrey Edmonds

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia