Prigozhin Vodka-ists vs. Trump Inebriates
This "bloodless mutiny" hardly seems a genuine assault on Putin's perdurable hegemon. Instead it has the attributes of a deliberate feint to mislead the regime's opponents, more like a master chess gambit against amateurs.
It has been effective in luring outsiders into a chorus of anticipating Putin's downfall, who now cannot quite believe they were snookered with Telegram and convoys and leaks of non-existent RU aircraft attacks on the Wagners.
The rapid "takeover" of Rostov-on-Don breathlessly expounded in social media, the "invasion" northward toward Moscow, the cheering crowds of Wagner supporters, the turnout of Moscow police and barricades, the peacemaker of Belarus, the standdown of Wagner and retreat without punishment, could all this not have been seen as theater for the credulous?
It worked, though, in shifting the spotlights from Kviv, wider Ukraine, national capitals cogitating what more weaponry could be sent for testing, puchasing, manufacturing, enriching the mil-com-hustlers padding their resumes and bobbling head fees.
Consider the number of documentaries, hot button films, essays, books, podcasts, blabberings, now growing like kudzu, but now paused for rethinks and justifications and prognostications, with Twitter tsunamis of discourse on what it all means, stay tuned, provide funding, more to come.
Even so, this skeptic was thrilled to see Trump inebriants outfoxed by Prigozhin vodka-ists for a few days.