Wall Street Journalさんのインスタグラム写真 - (Wall Street JournalInstagram)「The fiery demise of the Wagner Group’s mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and other senior Wagner commanders in a private jet crash is one of the starkest illustrations of the workings of Putin’s mafia state, writes Alexander Baunov for @wsjopinion. In his first public address following Progozhin’s June 23-24 mutiny, Putin described the uprising as “treason” and “betrayal.” In previous years he has spoken more than once of the crucial difference between enemies and traitors. It’s a difference keenly felt by the security services from which Putin hails: An operative who has gone over to the other side is far worse than any dissident or open critic of the regime. Describing Prigozhin as a traitor meant consequences were inevitable. Otherwise, a system built on informal principles and practices rather than formal institutions risked becoming unmanageable. The initial lack of any apparent punishment for the mercenary leader and his appearance at formal events at which Putin was present were seen as signs that Russia was weakening. An important punishment tactic in dictatorships and criminal gangs is to create the illusion that peace has been reached and the enemy about to be liquidated has been forgiven. Russia has its own tradition in this regard. Only hours before the plane crash, Prigozhin released a video of himself in Africa. It appeared to indicate that he had found a new calling there—a seemingly peaceful exile and demotion. Yet Prigozhin’s assassination was inevitable. Putin’s mafia state’s deadly logic required it. Read more at the link in @wsjopinion’s bio. Photo: Anton Matrosov/Zuma Press」8月26日 6時01分