> This is the playbook of virtually every Eastern European nation.

Or pretty much every "business strongman"[0] third-world regime really, Trevor Noah had a bit comparing Trump to South Africa's Jacob Zuma, it was less funny and more uncanny to see the parallels.

And then things get dreadful when you realise a "graft and cronyism" Trump presidency is starting to look like a best-case scenario given his campaign statements and cabinet appointments.

[0] as opposed to "military strongman"