VLADIMIR Putin is not America’s friend but his successor will be even more vicious towards the West, an expert has chillingly warned. Geopolitical expert Brandon J Weichert told The U.S. Sun that Putin isn’t America’s pal but warned that his successor is “going to be more vicious". Weichert warned that Putin’s successor will be a “more seasoned, vicious and popular autocrat” who would go “full bore” into a potential nuclear war. But, Weichert thinks Russia will face a “multisided” civil war between competing centers of power once Putin dies. If the Russian state collapses and a similar program doesn't exist, Weichert fears nukes could end up in the hands of terrorist groups.