Putin likes to play poker and bluff his way into advantageous situations, but he overplayed his hand. He bet that Ukraine would fold quickly to avoid major mili

Putin likes to play poker and bluff his way into advantageous situations, but he overplayed his hand. He bet that Ukraine would fold quickly to avoid major military conflict and loss of life allowing him to install a pro-Russian government. This obviously did not happen. Worse, for Putin, the Russian military is under performing against what should be an over-matched Ukraine. His favorite tool is to threaten others, but he just lost the ability to threaten traditional military action because if he can't easily take Ukraine how would he take Finland or Sweden, let alone a NATO country? That leaves only one remaining bluff and that is the use of nuclear weapons. He might be desperate enough to use it, but I think his own inner-circle would overthrow him to prevent it. Look at the faces of his high command in recent videos. They are demoralized. I would be surprised if he survives this.