Former Ukrainian defense minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk on Ukraine’s push into Russian territory
Aug 19, 2024
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Andriy Zagorodnyuk, the former Ukrainian defense minister, dives into Ukraine's recent military actions within Russian territory and their potential impact on peace talks. He reveals the innovative asymmetric warfare tactics employed by Ukraine and their significance for Putin's leadership. Mikhail Zygar provides insight into the Russian perspective on these incursions, while Sarah Smarsh discusses the challenges Democrats face in engaging rural voters and the potential solutions to reverse this trend.
Ukraine's military incursion into Russia aims to shift the conflict dynamics and reveal vulnerabilities in Russian defenses.
Climate activist Tom Steyer emphasizes the optimistic potential of renewable energy solutions in combating climate change challenges.
Deep dives
Ukraine's Strategic Incursion
Ukraine has launched a significant military incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, which marks the first such event since World War II. This tactic aims to shift the battlefield dynamics by bringing the conflict into Russian territory, with Ukraine hoping this will compel Russia to reallocate resources and attention from its operations in Ukraine. The operation revealed vulnerabilities in the Russian military's defense, exposing a lack of preparedness and low morale among certain units, leading many soldiers to retreat. Ukraine asserts that its goal is not to seize Russian land but to ensure that Russia cannot successfully occupy Ukrainian territory.
Putin's Reaction and Russian Morale
Vladimir Putin's strategy has been under scrutiny as the recent Ukrainian advance challenges his narrative of invulnerability. Reports indicate that he maintains a delusional confidence, believing that Russian forces will quickly reclaim lost territories, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Many Russians appear detached from the realities of the ongoing war, preferring to maintain a status quo that minimizes the perceived impact of the conflict on their daily lives. However, the possibility of indiscriminate retaliation by Russian forces raises moral concerns about the potential civilian casualties in their response to the incursion.
Democratic Strategies for Rural Voter Engagement
Over the years, the Democratic Party has experienced a decline in support from rural voters who feel their needs have been ignored. Journalist Sarah Smarsh emphasizes that Democrats need to establish direct connections with these communities, recognizing the significance of being seen and validated. She points to the potential of Tim Walz, a candidate with a relatable background, to resonate with rural voters through authenticity and shared experiences. Addressing the emotional aspect of politics, Smarsh notes that acknowledgment can lead to greater receptiveness to the party's policies and programs.
Hope Amidst Climate Change Challenges
Despite the dire implications of climate change, activist Tom Steyer expresses optimism regarding the adoption of clean energy technologies. He argues that while fossil fuels dominate the energy landscape, there is a growing shift towards renewables that are becoming cheaper, faster, and better. Steyer emphasizes the importance of transitioning to clean energies, such as solar, wind, and enhanced geothermal, while mitigating dependency on legacy fossil fuel infrastructures. His advocacy suggests that collective action can drive significant change in addressing climate challenges if society unites around solutions that prioritize the planet's health.
Today on the show, Fareed speaks with former Ukrainian defense minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk about Ukraine’s incursion into Russia and what it might mean for peace negotiations.
Next, Russian journalist and author Mikhail Zygar joins the show to discuss how the incursion into Kursk is being perceived inside of Russia, and what Putin really hopes to achieve from the war in Ukraine.
Then, Sarah Smarsh, journalist and author tells Fareed why Democrats have struggled to win the support of rural voters, and how Tim Walz might manage to reverse that decades-long trend.
Finally, Tom Steyer, climate activist and former Democratic presidential candidate, speaks with Fareed about his new book “Cheaper, Faster, Better” and why he is still hopeful in the face of climate change.
Guests: Andriy Zagorodnyuk (@Andriypzag), Mikhail Zygar (@zygaro), Sarah Smarsh (@Sarah_Smarsh), Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer)