Putin has always cultivated relationships with autocrat-friendly leaders of democracies. These partners promote his interests and justify his imperialist aggressions.
All of these scumbags seem to be intertwined with Hollywood celebrities and American politicians…Clooney? Don’t these guys have an inkling prior to hanging out with dictators that they’re horrible human beings? Or, is the lure to intoxicating?
I was in Italy during the year Berlusconi rose to power, with each succeeding year, I became more and more alarmed about his quick rise to power through his charisma and the wealth and celebrity he utilized. He proved himself incompetent in government, sharing so many qualities with Trump, but adept at manipulating people and charming the masses. I am not surprised at how Berlusconi, Bush and Trump have all been attracted to Putin. It's frightening. Too many echoes of fascism and mob behavior.
Great article as usual. One apparent difference between Berlusconi and Trump, is Putin and his ilk had 30 years to groom the latter. Money laundering and illicit loans followed. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Trump can’t ‘deliver.’
After reading your book, it seemed like Putin and Berlusconi had fascist characteristics. Surely they had the grandiose self image seen in so many fascist leaders. I suspect that both are sociopaths, as so many fascist leaders have been. There are no better manipulators than sociopaths.
Another great piece that examines what lies behind the facades, Ruth. This especially caught my attention:
“Putin mentioned the art of creating “a dialogue, a contact; you have to activate everything that is the best in your partner.”
It’s the way malignant narcissists groom their prey. As shapeshifters, they can turn themselves into blank screens so his/her target can project whatever they wish to see or perceive. Predators are so good at mining his/her target’s insecurities and need to feel validated.
“It worked on Bush, who came away from a 2001 summit in Slovenia feeling that Putin was ‘very straightforward and trustworthy ... I was able to get a sense of his soul.’”
Ruth, I’d like to know from you and your readers if you think that those of us who identify as Humanists can help those folks we know (eg my future in-laws) who are Trump and Q-Anon supporters move toward compassion and more life-affirming mindsets…using the same methods that Putin uses as per your quote- “activating the best in your partner…? (Gosh, that seems like an impossible task though. Emotional and Social Martial Arts).
"He had a far more powerful head of state to promote his agendas, someone who surpassed even Berlusconi in his loyalty and eagerness to please." What does Putin have on Trump has been and remains a big unanswered question. There's been much speculation on what the leverage might consist of. Everything from money laundering schemes in which Trump sold properties to wealthy Russian oligarchs, to Moscow hotel deals where Trump was poised to make zillions, to the infamous pee tape? Trump is the perfect compromat that Putin has exploited beyond anything he ever could have imagined. Their relationship continues, just yesterday Putin refereed to Trump with praise as talented and colorful. Putin and Russian propaganda also referenced the Jan 6th attack as a case where insurgents were arrested because they supported Trump. Biden now has the opportunity to reeducate the country (or at least large parts of it that live in right wing media echo chambers) that Putin is not our friend but a dictator, who is undermining democracy all over the world including right here in America. He colluded with the Trump campaign in the 2016 election, he poisons and jails journalists and opposition leaders and the groups that support them, rigs elections, makes people disappear and sponsors ransom ware attacks on our critical infrastructure.
Trump’s conflicts of interest, considering himself above the law, and gaining privilege of his personal business interests over national ones, certainly mimics Berlusconi’s political history. Trump also handled Russian affairs on a personal basis with Putin, excluding any records or witnesses to their meetings. The extent to which Trump put US security in danger remains to be seen, but surely trump should never have been allowed the total liberties he had with Putin and should never be allowed benefits of security clearance ever again. Hopefully trump will be convicted of federal crimes he is charged with, which better bar him from running from office ever again.
All of these scumbags seem to be intertwined with Hollywood celebrities and American politicians…Clooney? Don’t these guys have an inkling prior to hanging out with dictators that they’re horrible human beings? Or, is the lure to intoxicating?
I was in Italy during the year Berlusconi rose to power, with each succeeding year, I became more and more alarmed about his quick rise to power through his charisma and the wealth and celebrity he utilized. He proved himself incompetent in government, sharing so many qualities with Trump, but adept at manipulating people and charming the masses. I am not surprised at how Berlusconi, Bush and Trump have all been attracted to Putin. It's frightening. Too many echoes of fascism and mob behavior.
Great article as usual. One apparent difference between Berlusconi and Trump, is Putin and his ilk had 30 years to groom the latter. Money laundering and illicit loans followed. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Trump can’t ‘deliver.’
After reading your book, it seemed like Putin and Berlusconi had fascist characteristics. Surely they had the grandiose self image seen in so many fascist leaders. I suspect that both are sociopaths, as so many fascist leaders have been. There are no better manipulators than sociopaths.
Great story. Thank you!
Another great piece that examines what lies behind the facades, Ruth. This especially caught my attention:
“Putin mentioned the art of creating “a dialogue, a contact; you have to activate everything that is the best in your partner.”
It’s the way malignant narcissists groom their prey. As shapeshifters, they can turn themselves into blank screens so his/her target can project whatever they wish to see or perceive. Predators are so good at mining his/her target’s insecurities and need to feel validated.
“It worked on Bush, who came away from a 2001 summit in Slovenia feeling that Putin was ‘very straightforward and trustworthy ... I was able to get a sense of his soul.’”
Ruth, I’d like to know from you and your readers if you think that those of us who identify as Humanists can help those folks we know (eg my future in-laws) who are Trump and Q-Anon supporters move toward compassion and more life-affirming mindsets…using the same methods that Putin uses as per your quote- “activating the best in your partner…? (Gosh, that seems like an impossible task though. Emotional and Social Martial Arts).
"He had a far more powerful head of state to promote his agendas, someone who surpassed even Berlusconi in his loyalty and eagerness to please." What does Putin have on Trump has been and remains a big unanswered question. There's been much speculation on what the leverage might consist of. Everything from money laundering schemes in which Trump sold properties to wealthy Russian oligarchs, to Moscow hotel deals where Trump was poised to make zillions, to the infamous pee tape? Trump is the perfect compromat that Putin has exploited beyond anything he ever could have imagined. Their relationship continues, just yesterday Putin refereed to Trump with praise as talented and colorful. Putin and Russian propaganda also referenced the Jan 6th attack as a case where insurgents were arrested because they supported Trump. Biden now has the opportunity to reeducate the country (or at least large parts of it that live in right wing media echo chambers) that Putin is not our friend but a dictator, who is undermining democracy all over the world including right here in America. He colluded with the Trump campaign in the 2016 election, he poisons and jails journalists and opposition leaders and the groups that support them, rigs elections, makes people disappear and sponsors ransom ware attacks on our critical infrastructure.
Trump’s conflicts of interest, considering himself above the law, and gaining privilege of his personal business interests over national ones, certainly mimics Berlusconi’s political history. Trump also handled Russian affairs on a personal basis with Putin, excluding any records or witnesses to their meetings. The extent to which Trump put US security in danger remains to be seen, but surely trump should never have been allowed the total liberties he had with Putin and should never be allowed benefits of security clearance ever again. Hopefully trump will be convicted of federal crimes he is charged with, which better bar him from running from office ever again.