Putin and Trump are both trapped in losing battles against reality | Rafael Behr
Summary
This article compares the struggles of President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States in dealing with conflicts they cannot easily win. It highlights differences in the Russia-Ukraine war and U.S. policy on Iran, noting both leaders’ challenges in adapting to realities on the ground.Key Facts
- Putin is involved in a long, costly war in Ukraine that began as a quick operation but has dragged on for years with heavy losses.
- Russia’s war in Ukraine has caused significant destruction and economic problems inside Russia, noticeable to ordinary citizens.
- Support for Putin has dropped in some polls, suggesting internal disagreements within his government.
- Putin views the conflict as a fight for Russian national honor and refuses to treat Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as an equal leader of an independent country.
- President Trump saw Ukraine’s situation as hopeless and believed Putin was in a strong position, underestimating Ukraine’s defense.
- U.S. experience with Iran shows military actions are unlikely to force regime change, a lesson some experts have shared with the government.
- Both leaders hold views that prioritize their nation’s power over the sovereignty of smaller neighboring countries.
- The article discusses how modern military tools like drones have changed the balance of power in conflicts, helping smaller forces defend against larger ones.
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