At home, Mr Putin reigns supreme, with approval ratings around the 80% level. Mr Putin is undeniably a master manipulator both at home and abroad, and he has good reason to be pleased with his accomplishments. And yet ...Mr Putin has played a weak hand internationally with great skill, but Russia really is weak. Mr Putin's real vulnerability is at home. In fact, Russia may be at peak Putin right now, with only mounting troubles in his future.

Source: Bangkok Post March 28, 2017 21:56 UTC