The main goal of most politicians is staying in power. Forget the people or the national interest.
The Anne Applebaum quote comes from her article Why the West’s Diplomacy With Russia Keeps Failing.
If you are interested in this topic you might enjoy the book, The Dictator’s Handbook, which proposes that leaders do whatever keeps them in power, regardless of the national interest.
Cat World 
Another spot on!
It’s brief; it’s an iPhone.
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Politics is such an interesting thing, especially with what’s going on. Men who want money and power just mess it all up…would be fascinating to see if things would be the same if women ruled the world, or how it would be different
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