Putin

People protest in front of Ukraine’s embassy to Romania in Bucharest on Feb. 24, 2022.

International law says Putin’s war against Ukraine is illegal. Does that matter?

February 25, 2022Conflict & Justice

International laws are in place to prevent war and help protect civilians and combatants alike. But these laws are challenging to enforce and are unlikely to stop the unfolding Russia-Ukraine war.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meet with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Emine Erdogan in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2019.

How Turkey’s Erdoğan went from populist hero to strongman

November 13, 2019Global Politics

A man stands next to a mannequin with a burning hat.

As US focuses on impeachment, Ukraine worries about being left to Russia

October 7, 2019Trump impeachment

Anti-government Russian demonstrators took to the streets in Decembe, 2011, increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin as he sought a new term as Russian president. The placard reads "Get tired! Leave!"

Putin’s Cold War mentality explains a lot

February 26, 2018Books

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 14, 2017.

Putin says US gripped by fabricated spymania, praises Trump

December 14, 2017Global Politics

A few questions rattled Russian President Vladimir Putin during his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow.

At a year-end press conference, a handful of journalists try to hold Putin accountable

December 14, 2017Global Politics

Vladimir Putin’s end-of-year presser lasted nearly four hours, and included a few moments of drama.

Russians look at the Harvey Weinstein scandal and say, ‘What’s the big deal?’

October 23, 2017Arts

The reaction to the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Russia has been the opposite of the reaction in Europe and the US.

Russia-born U.S. journalist Masha Gessen (center) in a 2013 protest in Moscow against a proposed new law that would ban gay rights rallies.

From one generation to the next, Russians pass down the trauma of state terror

October 4, 2017Books

Author and activist Masha Gessen follows the experiences of half-dozen Russians whose lives have been changed by Putin’s retro-totalitarian state.

Donald Trump Jr. arrives at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 18, 2017.

Ahead of his Senate testimony, hedge fund manager Browder dishes about the Russia investigation

July 25, 2017Global Politics

Bill Browder prepares to testify about the Russian collusion scandal and the dangers of Putin’s agenda for the West.

A carnival model of Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in 2009.

‘Why are Americans so fat?’ And other questions Russians have about us.

July 21, 2017Media

An American journalist living in Russia says in the age of Donald Trump, Russian perceptions of America are tinged with mistrust and vice versa.

Latest Episode

Monday, June 15, 2020

S3 E3 (The Wrong Apocalypse) – So You Want Your Own Army?