A Real Chess Master's View of Putin

Putin has been referred to as a chess master outplaying his hopelessly outclasses opponents from the U.S. and EU. But here's the view of real chess master, who knows Putin much better than his Western opponents:

As I have said for years, it is a waste of time to attempt to discern deep strategy in Mr. Putin's actions. There are no complex national interests in a dictator's calculations. There are only personal interests, the interests of those close to him who keep him in power, and how best to consolidate that power. Without real elections or a free media, the only way a dictator can communicate with his subjects is through propaganda, and the only way he can validate his power is with regular shows of force.

Gary Kasparov, former world champion chess grand master, has been involved in efforts to turn Russian society into something more akin to a place where rule of law matters and the will of the people is considered. I don't know all that much about his overall philosophy, or all the specifics of his plan for his native land, but I do know that when I run across his comments, they're always substantive and worth reading, for example, here he proposes what he considers an appropriately effective response to Putin's aggression in the Crimea:

If the West punishes Russia with sanctions and a trade war, that might be effective eventually, but it would also be cruel to the 140 million Russians who live under Mr. Putin's rule. And it would be unnecessary. Instead, sanction the 140 oligarchs who would dump Mr. Putin in the trash tomorrow if he cannot protect their assets abroad. Target their visas, their mansions and IPOs in London, their yachts and Swiss bank accounts. Use banks, not tanks.

Well said, no? Agree or not agree with the targeting of the oligarchs, we can learn a lesson here: a dictator never rules alone. If those who support him, or prop him up, as it were, turn on him, he's finished. 

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