‘I know how its all going to end': Ex-CIA chief warns of Vladimir Putin's demise
Vladimir Putin is terrified, sickly and facing a fate just like his toppled dictator pal Bashar al-Assad, a former CIA chief has warned.
Ralph Goff, ex-CIA chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia, said the ageing Russian tyrant is preoccupied with his health.
And while he fumbles with trying to keep well, there is likely to be fomenting dissent in his elites, The Sun reports.
He said Putin, 72, could fall very quickly if his oligarch pals turn on him – potentially losing power in a sudden uprising like Assad.
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Vladimir Putin is facing a fate just like his toppled dictator pal Bashar al-Assad, a former CIA chief has warned. Photo: AFP
Goff said the Russian president's health and wellbeing is his 'top concern'.
'Putin is a guy who's afraid of Covid, afraid of being sick,' the ex-spook – a 35-year CIA veteran said.
'His personal health and wellbeing are his top concern.
'Putin may have the same fate as Bashar al-Assad who fell suddenly without warning.
'I think this is one of the more likely outcomes for Putin – a threat that he doesn't even see coming, comes out of nowhere, and he's gone.'
Like other intelligence chiefs, Goff – who served in Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia – believes Putin 'sees a threat in the elite'.
Goff said the Russian president's health and wellbeing is his 'top concern'. Photo: AFP
'Putin is a guy who's afraid of Covid, afraid of being sick.' Photo: AFP
'It's similar to the Italian mafia organised crime in the United States – where if the head was judged bad for business, then the they would get together and take him out.
'So Putin's got to watch out. He's got to watch the economy.
'He's got to watch the loyalty of the oligarchs.'
Despite leading a war effort that has been devastating to Russia, Vlad is 'still popular', Goff said.
However, 'It's a huge scale of devastation and loss. And that can undermine just about anybody,' he added.
Ralph Goff served in the CIA for 35 years. Photo: Supplied
Despite leading a war effort that has been devastating to Russia, Vlad is 'still popular'. Photo: AFP
As the war rumbles on, Goff revealed the recipe for Ukraine success – more weapons from Europe and targeting Russian assets.
'When the Ukrainians are successfully armed and prepared, they can hold out – and there's an increased chance of forcing some sort of settlement.
'If not, Putin can continue this war for as long as he likes – to the point where the Ukrainians are forced to kind of seek a very disadvantageous peace, or ceasefire.'
Goff warns it would be 'very unstable' with 'no guarantee that some sort of war won't break out in the future'.
And outside Russia, Goff believes a regime change in Iran would have a direct impact on Putin's war.
'A change in regime would undermine that support and help isolate Russia just a little bit more,' he said.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission
Originally published as 'I know how its all going to end': Ex-CIA chief warns of Vladimir Putin's demise
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