Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rules supreme. On September 18, his United Russia party won its largest-ever majority – enough to change the constitution – in the parliamentary elections. He seems to be running circles around the West in both Ukraine and Syria.
Yet, Russia’s stability must not be overestimated. Last year, retail sales fell by 10 percent and this year by more than 5 percent, reflecting declining living standards, though social protests remain insignificant. But the real source of instability centers on conflicts in the security services. Putin is attempting a major transformation of Russia’s security services and state administration, trying to consolidate his power, but KGB generals in their 60s still dominate the security council and stand in his way.
