Very good article.

I can't help but compare what you just described to Vladimir Putin.

Putin has created a cult of personality around himself, portraying himself as a strong and charismatic leader who can defend Russia's interests and restore its glory. He has used state-controlled media, propaganda, and disinformation to shape public opinion and to discredit his critics and rivals .

He has also expanded the role and influence of the security services, such as the FSB (the successor of the KGB), in all spheres of society. He has relied on them to crack down on political opponents, civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and minorities. He has also used them to conduct cyberattacks, assassinations, and covert operations against foreign adversaries.