Vladimir Putin's Long Shadow - the fifth estate

[freshwest]

CBC News - Jan 9, 2015

He casts a long shadow over globe. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has outlasted three American presidents and is on track to stay in power until 2024. His incursions in Georgia, the Crimea and Ukraine have rattled the West, while his crackdowns inside Russia have riled his democratic opponents.



But a joint investigation by the fifth estate and PBS’ Frontline reveals an even darker side to one of the most powerful leaders in the world: Allegations of criminal activity dating as far back as his early days as a top official in St. Petersburg; ties to organized crime and money-laundering activities; and a secret personal fortune said to be in the billions.



“Putin’s Long Shadow” also raises disturbing questions about the role the Russian security services played in four apartment building bombings in Moscow and other cities in 1999 that killed nearly 300 people – a tragedy Putin blamed on terrorists and used to cement his power.



Host Gillian Findlay talks to a senior police officer who tried to arrest Putin on corruption charges; an investigator who was jailed for asking too many questions about the apartment bombings; and Russian businessmen who detail the levels of corruption and collusion.

Haven't had time to watch this video but googled after seeing a post on the PBS piece:

PBS, Frontline, Putin's Way.

to Volaris:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026083269

[Cha]

1. THank you for this, freshwest.. for later!

[Duckhunter935]

2. Thanks for the link, I have it bookmarked

I am sure some posters will be here complaining or will post an RT love me some Putin piece in response.

[Stephen Retired]

3. Potemkin country

Putin has existential problems going far beyond oil prices. Whatever the iteration, this is a national entity perpetually on the verge of collapse. If it didn't have nukes, zero attention would be paid.

[uhnope]

4. Watched it last night. Really disturbing.

I had no idea he has looted Russia to that extent, that he was the mastermind of intentional plundering.

[freshwest]

5. Not exactly the image of a leader supporting a civil society as many may think.

That would be the 'leftist' and the libertarian supporters (well, maybe not the latter, as they aren't left, but hard right in the results).

But others respect him exactly for those 'strong man' qualities, believe it or not. The GOP, fundamentalists and Palin certainly do.

[uhnope]

6. yes. we've been really fortunate (so far) that the US hasn't gone down that road

afterwards was a PBS show on the KKK--they tried to become a driving political force in the US at one point.