Meet the Russian Siloviki - Putin's inner circle

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They are the alphas in a world of alphas. They resent the way the Soviet Union surrendered in the 1990s, and they are committed to the idea of Russia as a global power. Known as the Siloviki, they are ruthless, cunning, and tenacious. They are closely identified with Putin, forming his most trusted advisors, and making up what is the machinery of the Russian state. But what sets the federal Siloviki apart from the broader Russian elite is that they possess extraordinary hard power. The FSB, for instance, has around 160,000 members. That hard power is not to enforce the law, but to enforce control and order, sometimes against the law itself. And while most nations have a social contract that emphasizes economic growth, stability, or electoral representation, the Siloviki believe that in Russia, legitimacy derives from military conquest. They believe that Russia is an exceptional nation, destined to be a premier global power. If repression is necessary to achieve that goal, then so be it. This is a group of men who will not take no for an answer.

So, who exactly are the Siloviki? And if they have Putin's air, what exactly are they saying?

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Oligarchy is a term often used to describe the ultra-rich Russian class which accumulated exceptional wealth in the 1990s. Since then, the term has been synonymous with political influence. Though the club of entrepreneurs did dominate political affairs during the Yeltsin era, the hold of the oligarchy was broken beyond recovery by Putin in his first tenure in office. When the top dogs, Boris Berezovsky, Vladimir Gushinsky, and Mikhail Khodorkovsky were repressed and driven abroad, the rest of the oligarchy fell in line.

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Who ever said good things come to those who wait, never shop Black Friday early in Lowe's. Right now, get up to 50% off Select Major Appliances. Plus, get free delivery, free hallway, and free basic installation and parts when you spend $896 or more on Select Major Appliances. Shop Black Friday early in store and online now at Lowe's. Valued through 12-2 while supplies last. Selection varies by location. See Associated on lowes.com for details.