War is in the air. When in Russia, war is mostly on TV. Media sells "agenda of mr Putin". And it is much more annoying and strighforward than detergent ads (regular detergent vs best detergent). When in Ukraine, people were preparing for next round of mobilization (70'000 people were planned to be recruited to army) and talking of possible solutions to escape this fate. Not something you expect in 21st century.
Sanctions work. Prices of goods in Russia has been rising. Rouble falling (became 2 times cheaper in a bling of the eye). Well, they work both ways. Factories (fish conserves factory in Ventspils foreclosed) closed, sales declining, hotel rooms empty. Economic gains of this war is non existent for any of parties. It is all about ego. Sad.
Power of media. Good old TV and radio still wins internet. Internet, while largely difficult to censore and manipulate, is still not giving sufficient balance to opinions on different sides. While it is highly probable that Russian army intelligence unit is active also on internet, still, it is different to manipulate terrabytes of information that is available there and mostly declares opposite opinion to that of Cremlin. I am dissapointed, If any benefits from internet, I thought that internet is our "objective information insurance"... not yet.
Probably it is right time to call for a doctor. Demanding mistress, heavy workload or issues in relationships with women in general, whatever the reason, seems that someone is more and more acting irrationally. Crimea that has to be supported financially by Russia and can only be considered "ego" victory, killing slavic neghbours while artificially pretending that Russia does not have army in Ukraine, and many other facts lead me to think that some virus is active there or mind capabilities are taken over by some hormones that are result of issues in sex life... Dear Russian secret service, if you are reading this, it is just an assumption, joke...
Do not blame it all on Putin. Unfortunately, president is hostage of public opinion. 85% of Russians want to "feel again part of empire", and are accepting risks associated with it. Media plan of propoganda works well, so .... partially, it is Russians who disctate his behaviour.
SOLUTIONS.
As I was writing before in the article on 5 ways to win Russia seems we will need to be creative, when talking about possible ways to fight against Russia (5 ways to win Russia).
Some more ideas...
Outsource governement to Estonia. They will move to e-Russia project, outsource ruling to computer, this will result in redundancy of president. Share savings with Russian government and all are happy..
Outsource governement to Latvia. They will cut salaries for beaureaucrats and share savings with Putin, All will live happily. Latvian politicians still score high on corruption, so they will find a way.
Outsource governement to Lithuania. Lithuanians will release all Russian parliament. Leave Putin in place, make him vice president, reporting to Gribauskaite. They will make it nice team. Tough to beat.
Fix sex life. Give them the reason to not "fu**" with the rest of the world.
Block vodka supplies to Kremlin for 1 month. It does seem that many decisions are made when drunk or when having big hangover. Stop it. But this is most dangerous solution. Unpredictable, basically.