> for every protester/leaver this year there is literally 100 that are +-content enough to stay
I've never been to Russia. The impression I've formed is that there is a strong nationalist/imperialist camp among the Russian population. I'm inclined to trust the Levada polling organisation, and they say that Putin (and his invasion) have broad support among Russians.
We tend to personalize these things; e.g. it's all Putin's fault. I think that's a mistake; if you don't acknowledge that the nationalist/imperialist sentiment is widespread in the population, then you'll attack the wrong target, e.g. by trying to assasinate Putin. But if the xenophobia and nationalism are just part of the national sentiment, that's not going to work.
I have no idea how one might set about combatting nationalist/imperalist sentiment in a foreign country; traditionally we use spies and trouble-makers, but I don't think that works well.
>I have no idea how one might set about combatting nationalist/imperalist sentiment in a foreign country
When it goes beyond sentiment and into a genocidal war of aggression, like it did in Russia, there is one approach that no one in their right mind would advocate for, but it does work. It certainly worked in Germany and Japan.
Sure; strategic bombing (I suppose that's what you mean). Actually, my understanding is that both countries were militarily defeated; I believe that strategic bombing was really just political theatre.
Well Japan gave up immediately when Soviets entered the war with them, fire bombing of cities wasn't doing much on decision making. And Germany was literally defeated to last soldier standing, so yes strategic bombing definitely didn't defeat neither of those, just helped starve army for resources
I've never been to Russia. The impression I've formed is that there is a strong nationalist/imperialist camp among the Russian population. I'm inclined to trust the Levada polling organisation, and they say that Putin (and his invasion) have broad support among Russians.
We tend to personalize these things; e.g. it's all Putin's fault. I think that's a mistake; if you don't acknowledge that the nationalist/imperialist sentiment is widespread in the population, then you'll attack the wrong target, e.g. by trying to assasinate Putin. But if the xenophobia and nationalism are just part of the national sentiment, that's not going to work.
I have no idea how one might set about combatting nationalist/imperalist sentiment in a foreign country; traditionally we use spies and trouble-makers, but I don't think that works well.