Behind the Curtain, Russia Is Crumbling

Russia’s economic prosperity over the last three decades has been a smokescreen for moral bankruptcy and global incompetence. Sen. John McCain recognized this truth back in 2014 when he declared that Russia is “a gas station masquerading as a country.” That insight rings even truer today.

We saw another glimpse of Russia’s hollow performance recently when it unveiled an AI-powered humanoid robot meant to showcase technological advancement. Moments after the grand reveal, the robot tripped and fell face-first. In a scene that perfectly captures the Russian system, someone rushed to cover the failure with a black curtain – as if embarrassment could somehow be erased by denial. This is quintessential Russia: a glossy shell built on corruption, propaganda, and fear.