Two terrorists armed with assault rifles carried out a shooting attack in Jaffa.

 

The question of why no one stops Vladimir Putin is rooted in a combination of geopolitical, economic, and military factors that complicate direct intervention. Here are some of the main reasons why he continues to wield significant influence with limited pushback:

### 1. **Russia’s Military Power**

   - Russia is one of the world’s leading military powers, possessing the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. Any direct confrontation with Russia could escalate into a large-scale conflict, potentially involving nuclear warfare, which deters many countries from taking aggressive measures.

   - NATO and Western countries have provided military aid to Ukraine in response to the invasion but have been cautious to avoid actions that could trigger a direct conflict with Russian forces.

### 2. **Nuclear Deterrence**

   - Russia’s status as a nuclear power is a major factor in limiting external intervention. Putin’s frequent allusions to Russia’s nuclear capabilities serve as a stark warning to any country considering direct military action against him.

   - This nuclear deterrence strategy creates a high-stakes environment where conventional solutions, such as regime change or military intervention, are deemed too risky.

### 3. **Control Over the Political System**

   - Within Russia, Putin has established a centralized system of power, tightly controlling political institutions, the media, and key economic sectors.

   - Opposition figures are often marginalized, jailed (like Alexei Navalny), or silenced, making it difficult for any significant internal challenge to arise. This authoritarian grip ensures that dissent is swiftly dealt with, further consolidating his control.

### 4. **Economic Leverage**

   - Despite sanctions, Russia remains a major global energy supplier, particularly for European countries. For years, European dependency on Russian natural gas and oil limited the scope of economic sanctions against the country.

   - Even when harsher sanctions have been imposed since the Ukraine invasion, Russia has found alternative markets (e.g., China and India), softening the impact and allowing Putin to maintain his geopolitical stance.

### 5. **Divisions Among Global Powers**

   - While the U.S. and its European allies are critical of Putin, there are countries like China, India, and others that maintain more neutral or supportive stances. These countries provide economic and diplomatic alternatives for Russia, reducing the effectiveness of global isolation efforts.

   - Additionally, some Western nations are divided on how to handle Russia, with varying degrees of willingness to confront or sanction Moscow depending on their own strategic interests.

### 6. **International Law and Realpolitik**

   - The concept of state sovereignty limits the extent to which other nations can interfere in Russia’s internal affairs. Under international law, military intervention or regime change in another country is highly controversial and often viewed as a violation of sovereignty, unless sanctioned by a body like the United Nations.

   - Moreover, global realpolitik—where practical considerations of power and interest take precedence—makes countries hesitant to confront Russia directly, as doing so could destabilize the entire region and have unpredictable consequences.

### 7. **Limited Internal Opposition**

   - Putin’s rule is characterized by a lack of strong, organized opposition. The Russian political system has been structured to prevent the emergence of viable alternatives, and public dissent is frequently met with harsh repression.

   - Without significant internal pushback, external efforts to counter Putin's influence are less likely to succeed.

### 8. **Strategic Patience and Unpredictability**

   - Putin is known for his strategic patience and unpredictability, which makes it difficult for other world leaders to anticipate his actions and craft effective countermeasures.

   - His willingness to take risks and make aggressive moves, such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, often leaves the international community reacting rather than preemptively curtailing his ambitions.

In summary, a combination of Russia’s military capabilities, nuclear deterrence, internal control, economic leverage, and international divisions contribute to the lack of a unified or forceful response to Putin’s actions. Most countries prefer to balance confrontation with diplomatic and economic strategies, rather than direct intervention, due to the potentially catastrophic risks involved.