The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan Fiona Hill On Putin's War And Populism
6 snips
Nov 14, 2025 
Fiona Hill, a former U.S. intelligence analyst and expert on geopolitics, shares her insights on Russia's imperial ambitions and the resurgence of populism. She discusses the impacts of industrial decline in northern England and the changing identity of regions. Hill explores how Putin’s miscalculation exacerbated the war in Ukraine while highlighting innovative Ukrainian military strategies. The conversation touches on the complexities of immigration, nationalism, and the international implications of corruption in Ukraine, providing a nuanced view of today’s geopolitical landscape.
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Populism Grows When Parties Fail Futures
- Populism fills a vacuum when parties fail to offer affordable futures and social mobility.
- Fiona Hill says grievance politics grows because no party can convincingly sell a better future.
Northern Decline Fuels Political Realignment
- Northern England suffered long industrial decline and lack of reinvestment after coal closures.
- Hill links that decline to deep local resentment and political realignment toward Reform.
London-Centric Wealth Deepens Regional Gaps
- Wealth gains concentrated in London create stark regional inequality across the UK.
- Hill argues that concentrated 1% wealth leaves most of the country feeling unrepresented.
