The article highlights the deteriorating state of Russia, and it draws comparisons to the late Ottoman Empire, which was once referred to as the “sick man of Europe.” The article asserts that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is exacerbating Russia’s economic, social, and military challenges. A sobering reminder of Russia’s military shortcomings and the loss of its strategic advantage in the war against Ukraine is the once-symbolic triumph at Kursk, which holds historical significance for the country.
Military setbacks: Conscripts with insufficient training, desertion, and ineffective leadership are only a few of the issues the Russian military has faced. This includes a defence minister who lacks military experience and is driven primarily by economic considerations. Russia’s ability to project authority is further undermined by internal purges, the loss of trained labour as a result of sanctions, and war-related losses.
International Isolation: The essay looks at how much Russia is becoming more isolated internationally. Even so-called allies like China and India are becoming less financially involved as a result of the sanctions. Due to an International Criminal Court warrant for human rights breaches, Russian President Vladimir Putin was unable to attend international summits, further isolating the nation diplomatically.
Economic Crisis: Russia is presently going through a domestic economic collapse, marked by high rates of inflation, rising food costs, unpaid wages, and company bankruptcies. Due to the sanctions, Russia is facing a lack of basic goods, including medications, making attempts to resurrect the economy by implementing large-scale national projects in the Soviet model pointless. Even China, which was once thought of as a close ally, is reducing the amount of business it does with Russia.
Internal unrest has put Russia’s stability at jeopardy. People’s confidence in the government is at an all-time low, and their level of discontent is rising. Putin’s attempts to promote national sovereignty and traditional values have not been enough to address the core problems; the previously powerful oligarchs seem to have been sidelined.
The article concludes with a bleak assessment that the Russian empire may be on the verge of collapse, as internal and external pressures continue to compound. According to the author, Russia will gradually deteriorate into something akin to the Ottoman Empire. It expects that the conflict’s resolution will lead to permanent isolation on a global scale, additional economic collapse, and responsibility for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Read the full article here.
