A Brief History of Putin, Vol. 2

"Vladimir Putin kept his own ambitions tightly under wraps. Like most ambitious people, he took advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves. Mr. Putin paid close attention to individuals who might further his career. He studied them, strengthened his personal and professional ties to them, did favors for them, and manipulated them. He allowed—even actively encouraged—people to underestimate him even as he maneuvered himself into influential positions and quietly accumulated real power."

An excerpt from Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin by Fiona Hill and Clifford G. Gaddy

Ambition drove Vladimir Putin into the most powerful office in Russia. In this edition, we continue to frame Putin's tenure in office from 2000 to 2012.

2000 - 2004: President

What Putin was doing:

• Reaches a behind-closed-doors agreement with the Russian Oligarchs, assuring their support for his power.

• Orders a siege with special forces in the Moscow Theater Hostage Crisis. The crisis resulted in 170+ hostages being killed, but Putin's approval rating soared, firmly positioning himself as a decisive leader.

What was happening in Russia:

• Second Chechen War ended in a decisive Russian victory.

• Chechnya was once again absorbed by the Russian Federation.

What was happening in America:

• George W. Bush takes over as President.

• Multiple acts of terrorism, including September 11 and anthrax attacks, and the nation's focus turns toward terrorism.

• Patriot Act is instated by the government.

• American forces invade Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

• The Dotcom bubble pops.

2004 - 2008: President

What Putin was doing:

• Putin launches the National Priority Projects-- reformist policies to improve Russian infrastructure and education.

• Continues to maintain a low profile in the public sphere.

What was happening in Russia:

• A shift toward State Capitalism as the Justice Department prosecutes critics of the Russian government, most prominently Mikhail Khodorkovsky, then-wealthiest man in the country.

• Increased censorship in the media. Journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a vocal critic of Putin, is murdered.

What was happening in America:

• George W. Bush begins second term as President.

• Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans.

• America increases military presence in Iraq.

• Economic recession begins in 2007 and results in a stock market crash in 2008. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act is signed into law, allowing the Treasury to purchase assets from failing banks.

2008 - 2012: Prime Minister

What Putin was doing:

• Putin is named Prime Minister one day after his successor Dmitry Medvedev takes the Presidential Office, sparking further outcry on corruption.

• International media reports a publicly co-executive relationship between Putin and Medvedev, while remarking that Putin maintained absolute political power behind the scenes.

What was happening in Russia:

• The Russo-Georgian War lasts for 12 days in 2008, resulting in Russia gaining territory from Georgia.

• Medvedev launches multiple domestic initiatives to increase state investment in the technology sector, reform the police force, and boost anti-corruption laws.

• Tensions with America rise as both countries threaten to deploy missile and defense systems in East Europe.

• Reform to the constitution increases Presidential terms to 6 years, once again sparking public outcry.

What was happening in America:

• Barack Obama is elected President of the United States.

• Congress approves a $787B stimulus package to aid the failing economy.

• US Navy Seals find and kill Osama bin Laden.

Thank you for reading this edition of The Radar Pulse. The next volume will cover Vladimir Putin's career from 2012 to today. 

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