Saving face

Did you see Vladimir Putin’s latest television appearance?

Speaking at a stage-managed press conference with heavily-armed security guards, the Russian president showed not a glimmer of emotion as he fronted the cameras and pontificated away.

Strong-willed? Resolute? Actually that steely gaze and smooth, untroubled forehead are all thanks to his Botox addiction.

Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. It’s the perfect metaphor for Russian politics.

It’s also technically a neurotoxic nerve agent. Ironically a less potent strain of the poisons Putin uses to assassinate his political opponents.