MINSK — The Western media often likens Vladimir Putin’s governing style of brinkmanship, covert aggression and blatant deceit to those of a brilliant poker player. The poker-faced Russian president rarely shows his hand, enjoys bluffing his more powerful opponents and doesn’t hesitate to go all-in when he senses an opening. He’s the player at the table with nothing to lose; the one who upsets the dynamics, instills fear in tighter players and only stops when he’s cleaned out the table — or gone bust himself.
But do real Russian poker professionals play by the same fearless, calculating rulebook? I was curious …read more
Source: European Voice
