Vladimir Putin on a Mission

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 43) September 3, 2014

Global politics is unfolding in a dangerous, haphazard manner.  And when it comes down to the basics, it’s all about the world’s political leaders, their personalities and how they interpret their mission.  A recent political poll undertaken by the Angus Reid organization offered the views of 1500 Canadians and how they viewed five world leaders.  The survey results are not surprising.  Russian President, Vladimir Putin is viewed to be arrogant (54%), corrupt (52%), bully (52%), dishonest (45%), secretive (41%).  German Chancellor Angela Merkel is described as strong (33%), influential (33%), credible (26%), strategic (22%), courageous (16%).  British Prime Minister David Camron is described by Canadians as: influential (24%); credible (21%), strategic (18%); strong (16%); honest (14%).  The words most often chosen to describe US President Barack Obama; influential (46%), charismatic (43%), compassionate (33%), inspiring (31%), credible (28%).  Prime Minister Steven Harper was described as being:  secretive (39%); dishonest (37%); arrogant (31%); strategic (26%); boring (26%).  The most positive label attached to Mr. Harper in the survey was that he was strategic and that view was held by about a quarter (26%) of those who responded to the Angus Reid survey.

Who is this Vladimir Putin and Why is he so Dangerous?

Vladimir Putin’s strategic takeover of the Crimea in February and his more recent incursions and invasions in the eastern Ukrainian provinces begs two important questions:  what is driving the Russian president and when will his incursions end?  As already noted, Mr. Putin is deemed (by many Canadians) to be arrogant, corrupt, bully, dishonest, secretive.  If one was to ask German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she could very well add; disrespectful, incorrigible and contemptible – at a 2003 meeting in Siberia Chancellor Merkel tried to persuade Putin to treat cabinet ministers with respect rather than contemp.  There is also an ideological aspect to Vladimir Putin’s psychology.  Mr. Putin wrote in his biography:  “I consider it to be my sacred duty to unify the peoples of Russia to rally citizens around clear aims and tasks, and to remember every day every minute that we have one Motherland, one people and one future."

Why is Putin so Dangerous?

Former UK Foreign Secretary David Owen has been an “interested” observer of dysfunctional personalities and that would include Vladimir Putin’s mindset.  Before entering politics, David Owen trained as a neurologist/ psychiatrist and coined the condition “Hubris Syndrome” to describe how power can/does change the personality of power holders.  Lord Owen and other personality specialists describe the Hubris Syndrome as impacting many political figures and the condition can generate positive energy and confidence for those afflicted.  Leaders such as Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and George W. Bush demonstrated the positive side of personality change - according to some, there were clear signs of the Hubris Syndrome in Barack Obama, during his first term as president of the United States.  The danger is when the condition moves to the extreme and the power holder feels that he/she has become the only “saviour” – Vladimir Putin falls into this category and that’s what makes him so very dangerous.        

Can Putin be Satisfied in the Ukraine?

NO!!!!!