Comments by "Michael Dunham" (@michaeldunham3385) on "Is Russia Becoming Irrelevant?" video.

  1. You can map Russian economic growth along side oil prices, it has nothing to do with Putin
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  2.  @_Epsilon_  yes it is that simple, your comment regarding oligarchs would only explain Russian economic problems prior to 2000 not the subsequent ones. Putin only went after the oligarchs that refused to support him, it had nothing to do with taxes as you claim. It's standard procedure for Putin to accuse his enemies of corruption so he can get them out of the way. Without the oligarchs Russian industry would have collapsed, it was actually them who kept the factories, mines and oil fields going while Putin as deputy mayor of St Petersburg was embezzling funds
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  3.  @_Epsilon_  you really have no idea what Russia was like before Putin cemented his power and took complete control. What is your obsession with Khodorkovsky? Yes he and some others could see how quickly Putin became drunk with power. I don't believe all oligarchs are innocent but it's ironic you've chosen to mention assassinations given how many Putin has been behind. You're under the mistaken that Putin got rid of the oligarchs, no he didn't. Really property? There's more than a few questions regarding how Putin came to have so many assets given his relatively low official salary
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