Putin's Days May Be Numbered, but China's the Bigger Threat, says Ex-CIA Chief

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING - Someone other than Vladimir Putin will likely be running Russia in as little as three years.But the bigger concern, even for Europe, may lay further to the east.That is the analysis of former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking on the eve of an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive and during the Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation and National Security in Washington D.C.
"I suspect that Putin is not going to be around in three to five years," Panetta said, noting that he does not believe "Putin or his successor is going to be much of an issue in terms of impacting long-term Europe."

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