Curious Worldview cover image

Curious Worldview

Stephanie Baker | Oligarchs, Sanctions & The Global Economic War With Russia

Oct 22, 2024
In this conversation with journalist Stephanie Baker, who has spent nearly three decades covering business and politics, she shares insights from her book, *Punishing Putin*. Stephanie recounts her early experiences in 90s Moscow, including a chilling encounter at a murder scene. She discusses the chaotic rise of Russian oligarchs, the complexities of sanctions post-Ukraine invasion, and how Western businesses have navigated these turbulent waters. A deep dive into capital flight and the fascinating role of crypto in hiding wealth adds further intrigue to this gripping analysis of global economic warfare.
01:23:17

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Stephanie Baker recounts her early experiences in 1990s Moscow, illustrating the chaotic dynamics of post-Soviet Russia through a chilling murder scene encounter.
  • Baker analyzes the mixed effectiveness of Western sanctions on Russia's economy, highlighting how loopholes, particularly in the energy sector, allowed Russia to stabilize financially.

Deep dives

Stephanie Baker's Background and Insights on Russia

Stephanie Baker has spent nearly three decades covering the complex intersection of business and politics, particularly focusing on Russia. She recounts her early experiences in Moscow during the 1990s, including a chilling encounter with a murder scene, which highlighted the tumultuous environment of the city post-Soviet Union. Her tenure included fact-checking for Christopher Hitchens, which provided her with valuable journalistic training as she transitioned into covering significant financial crises and the rapid privatization occurring in Russia. This background ultimately equipped her with the necessary insights to pen her book, which delves into the economic impacts of Western sanctions and the systemic corruption within Russia that facilitated the rise of oligarchs.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner