1. Was Putin in the 1990s a brilliant strategist for the 'job'?
I don't think that's the way you ask or answer the question. He was the guy that the Duma pushed forward, and that the Oligarch folks were willing to accept. They weren't looking for a genius or Einstein-like character, or someone with charisma, or someone with organization/business talents. They all just wanted someone who'd allow them to roam freely, and not hold them accountable.
Putin said 'fine', but he wanted a 'cut' of the profits, and he wanted to layer his own friends into the next generation of Oligarch folks.
Presently, he's got the mindset that he wants a legend to follow him to the grave....that he would be the guy to have a little Russia war....win....and demonstrate Russian domination.
2. If this goes to the nuke level....does that finally end the war?
I'm not really convinced of that strategy or ending result.
If Ukraine shocks people by demonstrating they also have a nuke capability, then Putin will be forced to respond with a second, third and probably fourth tactical nuke.
If you wanted to see a bunch of Europeans totally freaked-out.....this would be the moment.
3. This rumor of 700,000 young people having left Russia (started this week)?
If you go back to Feb, and start counting families that left early, and the technicians or college kids that left in the past three months.....yeah, that 700k number might be fairly accurate.
My issue here is that they weren't the warehouse guys, or gas station clerks, or landscaping guys. They were of the higher quality or educated folks, and if they don't return.....it really opens up a burden on Russia to maintain technology-driven lifestyles.
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