My title is how Winston Churchill (1874-1965) described the Soviet Union during a BBC Broadcast in October 1939: “I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.” (source)
Yesterday, I published the opinion of Leonid Bershidsky as my blog on the events of 24 June 2023. He uses an analogy, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story of The Emperor’s New Clothes. In the view of Leonid Bershidsky, Putin is another naked emperor. That analogy seems valid.
Indeed, Russian national interest may well explain the shortest successful mutiny ever. Many claim that the mutiny failed. I doubt the goal was a mutiny; exposure seems more likely. In that view, the blurting child (below) in the The Emperor’s New Clothes story is the leader of the Wagner Group.
“The townsfolk uncomfortably go along with the pretense, not wanting to appear inept or stupid, until a child blurts out that the emperor is wearing nothing at all. The people then realize that everyone has been fooled. Although startled, the emperor continues the procession, walking more proudly than ever.”
Wikipedia: The Emperor’s New Clothes
In the interest of Russian national interest, the “mutiny” had to stop after proving its point: the vulnerability of Putin and his military. A longer duration would have created an actual mutiny. The lack of opposition by either citizens or soldiers made us “realize that everyone has been fooled”.
I suppose the Hans Christian Andersen analogy will continue: “Although startled, the emperor continues the procession, walking more proudly than ever.” I suppose Leonid Bershidsky is also right: “Sooner or later, whether by putsch or push, another courtier will make another move to try on his clothes.”
Pale Shelter (1982) by Tears For Fears
band, lyrics, video, Wiki-band, Wiki-song
How can I be sure
When your intrusion’s my illusion?
When you don’t give me love
You give me pale shelter
You don’t give me love
You give me cold hands
And I can’t operate on this failure
When all I wanna be is
Completely in command
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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