Pentagon 2008 study claims Putin has Asperger's syndrome

             This article explains exactly as the title describes, the findings of a 2008 study by Brenda Connors and her colleagues for an internal Pentagon think tank known as the Office of Net Assessment which concluded that the President of Russia has autism, though they cannot confirm this theory without actually performing a brain scan on Vladimir Putin. The report also cites the findings of Dr. Stephen Porges, who is now a psychiatry professor at the University of North Carolina who concluded that though it appears Putin does fall on the autism spectrum he would "back off saying he has Aspergers" saying that Putin exhibits signs sign of acting defensive in front of large crowds and though this can be a symptom of those with Aspergers disease it can also be an effect of someone that has trouble staying calm in large social situations.
            Regardless of how accurate or inaccurate this report may be, in my opinion this is not the correct time for a report such as this from 2008 to come to light. Global politics involving Putin at the moment is very shaky and as someone who does not currently seem to be having fond feelings of the US or UN, he will probably find such an accusation insulting. Especially considering the regressive social laws that Russia has been passing lately such as the ban on gays. Instead we should be trying to improve relations with Putin seeing as he is the ruler of one of the world's largest and most powerful countries. I believe that certain members within the government brought this report to light recently in order to discredit Putin's ability to lead a country. Though this may be a viable tactic in other situations I do not think there is any feasible way remove Putin from power short of assassinating him, therefore I believe our efforts should be focused on giving the Russian President motivation to work with us not be upset with us for non-political reasons.

Michael Johnson
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/04/putin-aspergers-syndrome-study-pentagon/22855927/