Vladimir Putin has been tipped to launch a new campaign of “provocative military actions” to contain dissent against his government and his spies.
The Russian leader has been grappling with criticism over his failure to prevent one of the worst terror attacks Russia has experienced in years after ignoring warnings from Western intelligence agencies.
The United States allegedly warned the Kremlin about an impending attack two weeks before an armed group stormed Crocus City Hall, a music hall on the outskirts of Moscow, last Friday. At least 137 people were killed.
Putin had dismissed the warning as “blackmail” and refused to acknowledge ISIS claiming responsibility – instead accusing Ukraine of being involved in the attack.
On Monday, he said for the first time that “radical Islamists” were behind last week’s attack also seemed to once again suggest Ukraine was somehow involved.
Speaking to Daily Express US, Dr. Kevin Riehle argued the Russian president might seek to defuse the criticism by pursuing a more aggressive strategy against Kyiv and its NATO allies.
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