Angela Merkel, Russias Next Target - New York Times

[No Vested Interest]

1. I had understood that Merkel and Putin got along well.

She was raised in the former East Germany, where Putin had spent much time while in the KGB.
He speaks fluent German, and I believe she speaks Russian.

But I realize the times they are a'changing.
I think Merkel's biggest challenge is her growing unpopularity among German citizens, who are increasingly objecting to the large influx of refugees from the Mideast and the influence the refugees are having on Germany's traditional way of life.

And it's more than possible that Russia will now try to grease the route to her removal in the coming German elections, if Russia considers that to be in Russia's interest.