Russia is not on the cusp of a revolution. But protests over the past ten days suggest that a sizeable chunk of society is deeply unhappy with its leaders.
These rallies can be exhilarating marching shoulder to shoulder with like-minded people, chanting Russia will be free and feeling like they are on the brink of some kind of victory. There is a strong camaraderie as they dodge the batons. Alexei Navalnys words as he headed to jail are ringing in their ears: I am not afraid, and I call on you to not be afraid.
But the truth is that the Kremlin still holds many cards. There are no cracks in the military or security apparatus; rally numbers are not critical; parliamentary opposition
