Shaun Newman Podcast #947 - Martin Sieff
Nov 6, 2025
Martin Sieff, a seasoned journalist with over 40 years of experience, shares insights from his extensive career in reporting across more than 70 countries. He discusses the nuances of modern Russia, explaining how Putin's support is rooted in a social contract shaped by post-Yeltsin hardships. Sieff emphasizes the importance of firsthand reporting in understanding conflicts and critiques Western policies that hinder economic resilience. He also explores global energy dynamics, the strengths of China’s strategic planning, and the historical cycles that influence leadership.
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From Belfast To Global Correspondent
- Martin Sieff describes rising from a lower-middle-class Belfast background to Oxford and a long foreign‑correspondent career spanning decades.
- He recounts roles at The Washington Times, UPI, and running an English energy newswire in Kazakhstan.
Why Putin Has A Social Contract
- Sieff covered glasnost and perestroika from the start and saw the Soviet collapse unfold firsthand.
- He argues Putin's legitimacy rests on raising Russians' living standards after Yeltsin's chaotic 1990s.
Moscow In The 1990s: A Vivid Memory
- Sieff recalls Moscow in the 1990s smelling of urine as public services collapsed and people urinated in public.
- He compares the sensory degradation to America's Great Depression to convey the depth of social despair.
