The Patriot Post® · Of National Leaders and Mental Illness

A 2008 report came to light this week alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin has Asperger’s syndrome. The Pentagon’s report says he suffers from “an autistic disorder which affects all of his decisions.” But, USA Today reports, “The 2008 report cites Dr. Stephen Porges, who is now a University of North Carolina psychiatry professor, as concluding that ‘Putin carries a form of autism.’ However, Porges said Wednesday he had never seen the finished report and ‘would back off saying he has Asperger’s.’” Indeed, writing off Putin’s aggression as Asperger’s in effect gives him a pass for very sane, very calculated actions. Putin is former KGB, though as he himself said, “There is no such thing as a former KGB man.” But if the Pentagon is looking for a disorder to pin on a national leader, we suggest looking into Barack Obama’s pathological narcissism.