As foreign policy analysts try to figure out
just what Vladimir Putin's next move is, the
best clues may lie in his body language.
As first reported by USA Today, there's a
group of Pentagon researchers whose job it
is to study the movements and gestures of
foreign leaders, including Putin.
Experts say studying a person's nonverbal
cues can offer insight into how they make
decisions and react to events.
Some argue studying Putin's body language
could help determine his intentions in Ukraine.
(Via Euronews SaveFrom.net)
On Friday, the Pentagon acknowledged such
research but says it hasn't made a difference
in the administration's decision-making on
Ukraine.
Still, that hasn't kept other body language
experts from looking for clues in Putin's
most recent press conference.
(Via RT SaveFrom.net)
"He does a chop with his hand.
It's very aggressive.
It's like a karate chop.
It's very aggressive.
He's trying to intimidate us with his non-verbals."
(Via CNN SaveFrom.net)
A professor at Texas Tech University who researches
non-verbal communication explained to NBC
Putin spoke calmly even though what he was
saying was pretty "combative": "His demeanor
is deceptive, precisely because it doesn't
appear outwardly belligerent."
Perhaps because he's had some training.
Allan Pease is a body language expert who
has worked with Putin.
Pease told The Moscow Times, one of the first
things he taught the former KGB officer was
to quit using the type of aggressive gestures
you'd see in former Soviet politicians.
(Via YouTube / Arpa Keun SaveFrom.net)
He added, "There is one specific piece of
body language used by Russians, mostly men,
and by no other nations.
That is a Soviet face, Mr. Putin's specialty."
Since 1996, the Pentagon has also studied
the body language of 15 different prominent
figures, including Kim Jong-Un, Osama Bin
Laden and Saddam Hussein.
