Summary

The analysis focuses on a staged Security Council meeting revealing Putin's authoritarian control and the fear of his advisors, likened to Soviet-era Politburo meetings. Key figures like Sergei Naryshkin and Viktor Zolotov are highlighted, showcasing public humiliation and conflicted loyalties. The practical takeaway is that the war is driven by Putin's singular vision, with others around him too terrified to dissent, leading to a profound sense of shock and inaction within the Kremlin.