Putin is a dictator and a tyrant, but other forces sustain him – and the west needs to understand them | Simon Jenkins

Kneejerk criticism of regimes in Russia, China or India may make us feel better, but there’s no evidence it is making the world a safer place

The west’s derisive reporting of Vladimir Putin’s election victory this week was a mark of his success. It was described as an abuse of democracy, “rigged”, “fixed” and “a sham”. The other candidates were shadows, while Putin’s true opponents were imprisoned, exiled or dead. According to this narrative, the 87% who voted for him were mere victims of coercio...