POLITICS

Putin's Playbook: How Russia's Leader Uses Old Tricks on Trump

USAThu Sep 04 2025

Bolton's Perspective on Putin's Tactics

  • KGB Skills: Bolton believes Putin leverages his KGB background to exploit Trump's vulnerabilities.
  • Strategic Manipulation: This manipulation began at the start of Trump's first term and continued during a recent meeting in Alaska.

Trump's Approach to International Relations

  • Personal Connections: Trump views international relations through the lens of personal relationships.
  • Warning: Bolton cautions that personal rapport does not mitigate serious issues.
  • Sanctions Doubt: Bolton is skeptical about Trump imposing sanctions on Russia and fears Trump may lose interest.

Criticism of Trump's Tariff Strategy

  • Impact on India: Bolton argues that Trump's tariffs have pushed India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to Russia and China.
  • Tweet: The White House has set back U.S.-India relations by decades.
  • Ukraine War: Bolton doubts Trump's promise to end the war in Ukraine quickly, deeming it unrealistic.

Bolton's Personal Situation

  • FBI Raid: Bolton's home was raided by FBI agents in August as part of a classified-records probe.
  • Hope for Ukraine: Despite his legal troubles, Bolton hopes Washington will continue to support Ukraine, even indirectly through Europe.

questions

    If Putin's KGB training involves reading people, does that mean he's like a real-life Professor X from the X-Men, but with a Russian accent?
    If Trump's tariffs are pushing India towards China and Russia, does that mean he's accidentally playing a game of diplomatic musical chairs?
    What evidence supports the claim that U.S. policy under President Trump has driven India's prime minister closer to Russia and China?

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