Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • Israel-Iran
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Russia / Putin’s mafia state can’t protect its own people
Russia, Europe and Eurasia

March 23, 2024

Putin’s mafia state can’t protect its own people

By Daniel DePetris

Last weekend’s terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue was gory, disgusting, inhumane, savage… pick your negative adjective. A team of multiple shooters, clad in what looks like fatigues and stocked with automatic weapons, stormed the building as soon as the sold-out performance was about to get underway.

Amateur videos from the scene show sheer chaos, with defenseless concertgoers running for their lives as the terrorists methodically search out people to execute in cold blood. By the time the attack ended, more than 130 people had been killed and part of the building was razed to the ground.

Pay no heed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s delusions about the violence in Moscow somehow being connected to the Ukrainian government. The Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) group was quick to claim responsibility for the shooting. The US stressed it had no reason to doubt the claim: it wouldn’t be a shock if ISIS-K prepared and executed an attack inside Russia.

Read at The Telegraph

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

NATO rose to the challenge and passed Russia’s test in Poland

By Daniel DePetris

September 16, 2025

op-edNATO, Europe and Eurasia, Russia

Poland’s drone scare is not grounds for Nato escalation

By Jennifer Kavanagh

September 12, 2025

op-edEurope and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

EU elites are finally waking up to the collapse of the world as they knew it

By Daniel DePetris

September 10, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

For Putin, bargaining and bombing aren’t mutually exclusive

By Jennifer Kavanagh

September 9, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia

Daniel Davis assesses the potential for Russia-Ukraine peace on NewsNation

Featuring Daniel Davis

September 8, 2025

op-edAlliances, NATO, Ukraine‑Russia

Who will wield all those shiny new weapons?

By Gil Barndollar

September 3, 2025

Events on Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

Past Virtual Event: China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved