What's happening in Russia is a warning to us all. No one could tell Putin no and that's how he went into Ukraine dreaming of making Russia great again. Putin underestimated Zelensky and the Ukranian people and he greatly overestimated his own military because the people around him were afraid to bring him the facts.
Dictators eventually cause real trouble for their people. Many don't see it at first because the dictator speaks to their grievances and xenophobia. But it always ends badly.
@KathyV What's happening in Russia is a perfect example of an Empire on its last leg, its been deflating since the 90's and with Wagner almost rolling all the way up to Moscow unapposed they have shown how vulnerable they are. I expect we'll see well hidden society cracks boiling up to the service and demands for independence the next decade.
The disastrous war with Ukraine have shown what corruption run wild can do with a society.
@SpN2000 Agree and the writer Brian Klass has talked about the dictator trap where strongman like Putin surround themselves with yes men and eventually the disastrous war in Ukraine is the outcome. It's why I fear Trump in 2024.
@KathyV but not soon enough