Kremlin Rising

1. Putin's Rise: Engineered Image Meets National Yearning

After nearly a decade of post-Soviet dislocation, Russians desperately awaited a new leader who would put the 1990s behind them.

Yearning for stability. Putin's ascent was not solely due to Kremlin machinations but also a reflection of Russia's desire for stability after the tumultuous Yeltsin era. The public craved a leader who could restore order, national pride, and economic prosperity, even if it meant sacrificing some democratic freedoms.

Image crafting. The Kremlin skillfully crafted Putin's image as a strong, sober, and decisive leader, a stark contrast to the often-erratic Yeltsin. This carefully constructed persona resonated with a population weary of chaos and uncertainty.

Project Putin. The effort to elevate Putin was a deliberate and ambitious political project, involving powerful oligarchs and media outlets. They saw him as a controllable figure who would protect their interests, but they underestimated his ambition and his own vision for Russia.

2. The KGB Legacy: Shaping Putin's Worldview and Power Base

I was a pure and utterly successful product of Soviet patriotic education.

KGB influence. Putin's 16 years in the KGB profoundly shaped his worldview, instilling a deep sense of loyalty to the state, a suspicion of outsiders, and a belief in strong, centralized control. This background influenced his approach to governance and his selection of personnel.

Siloviki ascendancy. Putin surrounded himself with a cadre of like-minded KGB and military veterans, known as siloviki, who shared his values and his vision for Russia. These "men of power" came to occupy key positions in government, business, and security, consolidating power in the hands of a select few.

Revisionist history. Putin's circle often presented a revised version of Russian history, downplaying the horrors of the Soviet era and glorifying the country's past achievements. This revisionism served to legitimize their rule and to foster a sense of national pride.

3. Chechnya: The Crucible of Putin's Assertiveness and Russia's Moral Crisis

We will pursue the terrorists everywhere. If it’s in the airport, then in the airport. You’ll forgive me, but if we catch them in the toilet, we’ll wipe them out in the outhouse.

Brutal conflict. The second Chechen war, launched shortly after Putin became prime minister, served as a key factor in his rise to power. His tough rhetoric and uncompromising approach resonated with a public eager for decisive action against terrorism.

Moral ambiguity. The war was marked by widespread human rights abuses, indiscriminate violence, and a blurring of moral boundaries. The conflict exposed a deep crisis within Russian society, as many Russians seemed willing to tolerate atrocities in the name of national security.

Enduring legacy. The Chechen conflict became a symbol of Putin's Russia, a cautionary tale of how not to wage a war on terror and how not to reform a dictatorial political system. The conflict's legacy of violence, corruption, and impunity would continue to haunt Russia for years to come.

4. Media Consolidation: Silencing Dissent, Broadcasting Loyalty

He is of a quite average Soviet education, of an average intellect. But he is very, very adaptable.

State control. Putin systematically consolidated state control over the media, particularly television, which remained the primary source of information for most Russians. Independent voices were silenced, and the media became a tool for promoting the Kremlin's agenda.

NTV takeover. The takeover of NTV, Russia's only independent national television network, was a watershed moment, signaling the end of media pluralism and the beginning of a new era of state-controlled information. The event divided the journalistic community and sparked widespread protests, but ultimately failed to halt the Kremlin's campaign.

Propaganda machine. State-controlled media outlets became adept at crafting a narrative that glorified Putin, demonized his opponents, and promoted a sense of national unity. Dissenting voices were marginalized, and critical reporting was suppressed.

5. Oligarchs Reined In: A New Era of State-Controlled Capitalism

You stay out of politics and I will not revise the results of privatization.

The deal. Putin struck a deal with the oligarchs, allowing them to keep their ill-gotten wealth as long as they remained loyal to the Kremlin and refrained from political activity. This marked a shift from the freewheeling capitalism of the Yeltsin era to a more state-controlled system.

Khodorkovsky's fate. The arrest and prosecution of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia's richest man, served as a warning to other oligarchs who might challenge Putin's authority. Khodorkovsky's oil company, Yukos, was dismantled and its assets were seized by the state.

State capitalism. The Yukos affair marked the beginning of a new era of state capitalism in Russia, with the government playing an increasingly dominant role in the economy, particularly in strategic sectors like energy. This trend would continue throughout Putin's presidency.

6. The "Nashe" Ideology: Soviet Nostalgia and Controlled Patriotism

Now it’s cool to be Russian again.

Resurgent nationalism. Putin tapped into a resurgent sense of Russian nationalism, fueled by nostalgia for the Soviet era and resentment of Western influence. This ideology, known as nashe ("ours"), emphasized national unity, strength, and pride.

Soviet symbolism. Putin embraced Soviet symbols, such as the national anthem and the red star, to appeal to a broad base of voters, including those who longed for the perceived stability and superpower status of the Soviet Union. This embrace of the past served to legitimize his rule and to unite a fractured society.

Controlled patriotism. While promoting patriotism, Putin also sought to control and channel it, suppressing any forms of nationalism that threatened the stability of the state. This "managed patriotism" served to reinforce his authority and to stifle dissent.

7. Demographic Decline and Social Ills: Russia's Silent Crisis

All of Russia grieves with you.

Demographic crisis. Russia faced a severe demographic crisis, with a declining population, a low birth rate, and a high death rate. This crisis threatened the country's long-term viability and posed a significant challenge to Putin's leadership.

Social problems. Russia was plagued by a range of social ills, including alcoholism, drug addiction, tuberculosis, and AIDS. These problems contributed to the demographic crisis and undermined the country's social fabric.

Government neglect. Putin's government was slow to address these social problems, often prioritizing economic growth and national security over public health and welfare. This neglect exacerbated the crisis and contributed to a sense of hopelessness among many Russians.

8. The West's Embrace and Subsequent Disillusionment: A Complex Partnership

We will be great friends. Tell him that.

Initial optimism. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Putin and President George W. Bush forged a close partnership, based on shared interests in fighting terrorism. This partnership led to a period of unprecedented cooperation between Russia and the West.

Diverging interests. As time went on, however, the two countries' interests began to diverge, particularly over issues such as the war in Iraq, NATO expansion, and the promotion of democracy in the former Soviet republics. This led to growing disillusionment in the West with Putin's authoritarian tendencies.

The "values gap." The growing divide between Russia and the West was often framed as a "values gap," with Western leaders expressing concern about Putin's commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This values gap would continue to strain relations between Russia and the West for years to come.

9. Beslan: The Turning Point - Tragedy and Authoritarian Consolidation

All of Russia grieves with you.

Horror and outrage. The Beslan school siege, in which hundreds of children were killed, shocked the world and traumatized Russia. The tragedy exposed the deep-seated problems of the Chechen conflict and the government's inability to protect its citizens.

Power grab. Putin used the Beslan tragedy as a pretext to consolidate power, eliminating gubernatorial elections and further restricting political freedoms. These moves were justified as necessary to fight terrorism, but they also served to strengthen the Kremlin's control over the country.

End of revolution. Beslan marked the end of Russia's post-Soviet revolution, the final nail in the coffin of the democratic experiment that had begun with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin had won, but at a terrible cost.

Last updated: March 3, 2025