PUTIN COASTS TO RUSSIAN ELECTORAL VICTORY

       Russian voters on Sunday resoundingly re-elected Vladimir Putin to his position as President. Putin was opposed both by old-line Communist candidates and Soros-backed Liberal candidates: none of whom even came close to unseating the popular leader. The Election of 2018 was marked by much less violence and controversy than in 2012. This reflects the new attitude of American leaders---who refrained this time from electoral interference. 

       It will be interesting to see how Putin's place in geopolitics will unfold during the next six years. With the downfall of both ISIS and the American Deep-State, Putin has indicated that his next term will be more focused on carrying out internal Russian reforms. His anti-corruption campaigns and social reform policies have already lifted Russia from the economic recession of the 1990's. Yet unemployment---and underemployment---remain a serious problem. 

        Workforce productivity is "a key issue" according to Putin. But he also noted that correcting Russia's infrastructure issues must be a top priority if that is to occur. In this respect, Russia is like the US in that most of its infrastructure dates from the Cold-War Era and is in need of modernization. 

          Though Putin did not mention Trump's Foreign Policy, it was clearly implied in his acceptance speech that the thawing of US-Russian relations would shift spending away from Defense. "There will be no increase in defense spending; no arms-race." he told his supporters. "We have everything we need in this field, in addition to a major reserve capacity." 

         In contrast to previous administrations, President Trump has put very little emphasis on Foreign Affairs. Trump's inclinations seem more geared towards international trade than towards cultural imperialism. Putin can step back somewhat from his position as leader of the free world. The challenge of the next six years will be to work with Trump on geopolitical issues. Obama-Era sanctions are still in place; and Trump was unable to pressure Senate RINOs into lifting them. Trump also is challenged in that his foreign policy team in general is strongly anti-Russian. 

        But Trump and Putin both have a good relationship with China; and it may be that President Xi could negotiate a better rapport between them. A US-Russia-China Alliance would be the best step forward for world peace and prosperity since the end of WW2. 

         We shall see how matters unfold; but the Russian people's confidence in Putin's leadership is a positive sign.