Why did Russia invade Ukraine and what can the United States do about it?

In this week’s episode of Politics In Question, Heather Hurlburt joins Julia and James to talk about what’s happening in Ukraine. Hurlburt is the director of the New Models of Policy Change project at New America’s Political Reform program. She is a contributor to New York Magazine and she has published articles in numerous publications, including Politico, Foreign Affairs, The National Interest, Fortune, Vox, and Time. Hurlburt also co-hosts the Drezburt podcast and frequently appears in print and broadcast media. Previously, she ran the National Security Network, a premier source for internationalist foreign policy messaging and advocacy, held senior positions in the White House and State Department under President Bill Clinton, and worked on Capitol Hill and for the International Crisis Group.

What can the United States do to help Ukrainians repel Russia’s invasion of their nation? What are the diplomatic, economic, and military tools at the federal government’s disposal? Why did Russia invade Ukraine in the first place? And are America’s political institutions capable of crafting a Ukraine strategy that isn’t counterproductive in the long run? These are some of the questions that Heather, Julia, and James ask in this week’s episode.