Part 3/11:
Friedman argues that Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine has fundamentally been a failure from Putin's perspective. The Russian army's inability to swiftly conquer what he describes as a militarily weak nation has led to significant losses, not just in terms of personnel and resources but also in global standing. This failure has positioned Putin in a precarious political situation, surrounded by growing unrest and dissatisfaction within Russia. The narrative he attempts to create of victory is contradicted by the stark reality: Russia's diminished capacity as a great power on the world stage.