Shashank Joshi, The Economist's defense editor, shares insights on Russia's military deficiencies, highlighting the stark contrast between initial expectations and their struggles in Ukraine. Piotr Zalewski, the Turkey correspondent, discusses the life sentence of activist Osman Kavala, shedding light on the increasing repression under Erdogan's regime ahead of a challenging election. The dialogue delves into historical contexts, flawed military strategies, and the impacts of political manipulation in Turkey's judiciary.