Putin Shakes Up Kremlin

Putin's Economy

Putin's New Man- Formerly Tax Chief

        After Premier Medvedev resigned last week, few realized that this act was just the beginning of a massive shake up.  Following the Premier's resignation,  his was followed by a dozen more resignations amidst a change in Mr. Putin's plans for the future.  Such moves have been rare during the 30 years of Putin's leadership roles since he was the deputy mayor of St.Petersburg.   His improbable ascendancy to the presidency baffled world leaders who hardly knew his name let alone his qualifications to assume the position.  It didn't take long for Putin to make his mark at home and abroad.
         He now has created a new governing board(formerly only an obscure advisory committee) that will manage the political landscape for the largest country.  Mr. Putin will be the chairman of this board where he will sit for an indefinite period-open ended term.  In essence, he will continue his role as leader in fact of the country.   His current term in office expires in 2024, four short years away, but he will have aged considerably during those years as his country continues its economic decline in 2nd world status.
      He is leading international movements in Ukraine, in Syria, and now in Africa/Libya.  He has dealt with Chechens, Trumps, Obamas, and Xi.   But dealing with his own people is his biggest failure.  The population is restless, and more suppression is not helping to quell the opposition.  he has carefully kept pressure on Mr. Navalny and his followers by periodically arresting him for dubious reasons.  His dealings with Iran demonstrate a willingness to incur the wrath of the West, and Europe in particular.
      While world leaders meet in Davos, Switzerland this week, more talk will be made of Russya's continuous slide economically due to sanctions by the US and its allies.  Seizure of Crimea is still on the front burner and looms large among leaders that Russya/Putin cannot be taken seriously as a capable leader.