Putin in Quest to Develop his Own Personality Cult

[asianobserve]

Old ways are indeed hard to change. In the case of Putin, a former USSR KGB agent, he is turning back to the good old personality cult that has been the norm in the old USSR and its allies. The desire for this style of leadership is understandable for them as they have all the intentions to stay in power for a long time. Thus, the need to justify their extended rules in the eyes of their people.

He has actively shown to the media his macho side which in one occasion was admitted to have been staged. Now his latest attempt is flying an ultralight with beak to allegedly lead a flock of endangered young Siberian white cranes on part of their migration to Asia (he must have watched the Hollywood movie Fly Away Home (1996) - IMDb)...

Vladimir Putin Reportedly To Fly On Hang-Glider, Wear Fake Beak With Siberian Cranes

Anyway, is this personality cult one of the hallmarks of the "Eastern Bloc" in the debate of "East" versus "West"?

 

[W.G.Ewald]

When it comes to stunts, Putin doesn't mind making a goose of himself

Vladimir Putin is the unquestioned supreme leader of Russia, known for his icy stare and steely ways. But now Mr Putin has taken on a new, perhaps more tender, leadership role. He has guided a flock of birds through the air.

Russia's President piloted a motorised hang glider over an Arctic wilderness while leading six endangered Siberian cranes toward their winter habitat, as part of an operation called "The Flight of Hope", his press office confirmed.

The Associated Press: Putin leads young Siberian cranes in flight

Only one crane followed Putin on his first flight, which he attributed to high winds that caused the hang glider to travel faster than usual, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. On the second flight, five birds followed Putin, but after a few circles only two had stuck with him for the full 15-minute flight.