Do you ever get the feeling that Vladimir Putin is running scared?

[kentuck]

That he is afraid of being exposed for something that would destroy his position as CEO of the world's largest criminal enterprise?

What could it be? What would he never want to be made public?

In my opinion, he and Trump were in on a grand conspiracy to destroy democracy in America, weaken NATO in Europe, and bring Ukraine back under the wing of Russia.

Also, they conspired to steal the presidency in 2016.

Although the evidence has not been made public, there are people that know, in my opinion.

And for some reason, that scares Putin very much.

This is only a hunch and an opinion. I have no facts to back it up.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Sure he's scared

Scared of democracy on his doorstep. Scared that he’ll go down as an old behind-the-times Soviet hack. Scared that Russia has and is being downsized on the world stage. He’s scared of a lot of things.

He’s also just as cynical as he is scared. He thinks we’re weak and will sell our souls, if we even have any, to the highest bidder. Wonder who validated that idea?

He ended up in a place where he had absolutely no respect for the West or his neighbors. How else to explain the obvious miscalculation of what the West could do to him economically and the strength of the Ukrainian resistance. That makes him scared, stupid and angry.

[Chainfire]

2. I think that he is to arrogant to be scared.

A disease that our former President also suffers from.

[temporary311]

3. Well, he is hiding in a bunker.

That doesn't exactly project an aura of bravery.

[gab13by13]

4. Putin is a sociopath,

who doesn't have to worry about getting re-elected. He doesn't care if conspiracies with Trump are proven. The oligarchs are not going to force him out. The only thing that Putin fears is a massive revolt from the people. He has been quick to put down all protests because that is the only thing he fears, other than his paranoia of being poisoned.

[Samrob]

5. No. I get the feeling the world is running scared of him. nt

[sarisataka]

6. Nope

Nor do I believe he is insane. I fully believe he is rational and making calculated moves.

[bluestarone]

7. pooty is DONE!

He knows this! I see NO WAY out for him. ( the DEADER the BETTER)

[anamnua]

8. He gives off the vibe

of a poker player with a weak hand desperately raising the stakes in the hope his opponent will fold.

[maxsolomon]

9. No. He is Hubristic. He is overconfident.

He sees himself as one of History's great men, that he'll be remembered in a century as the man who reunited Russia. He understands the threat from the West is not to Russia, but to Russian Hegemony in their former empire generally, and his Kakistocracy specifically.

He's been preparing this battlefield - online and on the ground - for decades.

His bet is that the sanctions will ease because the West is motivated by greed and a thirst for his oil.

[hunter]

12. I'm not sure Putin realizes it yet, but he has split Russia in half...

... much as Germany was split after World War II.

China will control Russia's resources in the East, Europe and the U.S.A. will control Russia's resources in the West.

It won't be a military occupation, nobody wants to govern that unruly mob, but Russia will be demilitarized and their development driven by international markets.

I don't think Putin can pull off a North Korean style isolation. When Kim Il-sung gained control of North Korea the average North Korean villager knew little of the outside world except that it was very dangerous. The average Russian is more worldly.

As Putin sees his dream of reuniting the Soviet Empire fall apart he is especially dangerous.

[lagomorph777]

10. He's clearly incapable of shame.

What he's afraid of is annihilation.

[Wingus Dingus]

11. He sits a long, long table away from people

and makes them shout or speak into microphones. Sure looks like fear to me.