Autocracy in America The Advocate
Aug 29, 2025
Join Garry Kasparov and Oleksandra Matviichuk, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning head of Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties, as they delve into Ukraine's fierce battle for freedom against Russian oppression. They discuss the chilling realities of occupation, including grave crimes against civilians. Matviichuk shares poignant stories of those affected, urging global awareness. Their conversation also critiques Western foreign policy and emphasizes the need for collective action against tyranny, spotlighting Ukraine's resilience and identity in the face of adversity.
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Life Under Daily Missile Threats
- Oleksandra Matviichuk describes being pulled into a bomb shelter during a webinar as rockets struck nearby.
- She reports daily life is a lottery where civilians fear which residential building may be hit next.
Recovering A Stolen Language
- Matviichuk recounts learning Ukrainian in school after being raised in a Russified family.
- She explains her father switched to Russian for career reasons under Soviet policies that suppressed Ukrainian language.
War As Systemic Clash
- Matviichuk locates the war's roots in 2014 and sees 2022 as escalation, not a start.
- She frames the conflict as a clash between authoritarianism and democracy, not merely territory.
