Applebaum: Americans Don’t Realize the Degree to Which Anti-American Propaganda Runs Constantly in Russia

EXCERPT:

APPLEBAUM: “It’s important to understand that the reason why Vladimir Putin rules Russia, one of the most important reasons is that he has successfully created a sense of apathy among people, among the Russians. He gives people the feeling that there is no alternative to himself. He allows no one to emerge that has any different ideas, who has any different way of running the country. He presents himself at the center of politics. He shows himself in conflict with foreign countries. I don’t think Americans realize the degree to which anti-American propaganda now runs constantly on Russian television, as well as anti-European propaganda. He creates the feeling that 'All around us, everything is dangerous, and only I can save Russia from all of these terrible challenges from the outside world.'”