The videos only show so much. So what do we know?
We know that the pictures which presented Putin in being athletic and fit were taken 15 years ago. In the mean time, Putin is 69 so it is not unlikely that his health deteriorated. But there are several rumors and scant evidence.
If his health is not so good, would it change things? His death certainly would, but Russia has an history where their leaders stayed in power until their death. Possibly even some time after. It is not the only country in the world where this happen, BTW.
Then there is the reference to Russia being a nuclear power. Here again, it is not the first time a nuclear country is governed by somebody less fit than we would like.
Too true, Jérôme!
In last phases of the Trump Presidential period, there evolved expression by armed forces leaders that there would likely be a failure to allow through a Trump order to unleash nuclear weapons.
What’s obviously missing is some brilliantly designed and monitored command and supervisory mechanism so that a single minded impulsive or unbalanced leader can’t start a devastating destruction that could be otherwise avoided.
We engineer such hierarchical safeguards in “decisions” of computer-controlled stealth bombers, where independant computers might vote or cancel flight control instructions that appear in question.
With humans, we have mechanisms for civil engineering projects and treatment of patients requiring surgery, but their, the process involves fear of prosecution after the event turns out to be damaging.
With control of nukes, we haven’t as yet developed an international mechanism to make leaders rational, wise and take the most effective strategies to avoid nuclear war.
Nationalism, exceptionalism and adherence to the poetics of ancient mythologies could easily overcome rational thought that optimizes protection of life and the planet.
However, if we recognize the inherent risks of one man’s finger on a nuclear button, we
should be able to embark on protection from such hazardous decision-making!
Asher