I think that an organized coup is presently less likely, with the death of Prighozin (and I do believe he is dead).

Putin has made many moves to remove other catalysts for a coup, and has taken over the Wagner organization (it's military mastermind - and organizer - was also killed in the crash). So that threat, at present, is neutralized.

Here's the thing about a coup: somebody has to be the figurehead. Putin has sequentially removed anyone whose head has made it above ground - even erstwhile allies. He's now going about right-wing nationalists, because he is not a nationalist. He is a tyrannical dictator.


A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich