Fiona Hill, a former Senior Director for Europe and Russia on the National Security Council and key impeachment witness, shares her remarkable journey from a coal town in England to the halls of power in Washington. She discusses the rise of populism and its resonance with working-class voters, as well as her experiences navigating the tumultuous Trump administration. Hill reflects on the impact of Russian interference in U.S. politics and emphasizes the need for integrity and global cooperation in a rapidly changing world.
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Fiona Hill's Childhood
Fiona Hill grew up in County Durham, a former industrial center that experienced decline.
Her father, a coal miner, encouraged her to seek opportunities elsewhere due to limited local prospects.
insights INSIGHT
Populist Appeal
Populist leaders like Berlusconi, Trump, and Johnson are skilled at exploiting public grievances.
They offer entertainment and a sense of connection, rather than detailed solutions.
insights INSIGHT
Impact of Interference
While Russia interfered in the 2016 US election, the impact wasn't necessarily decisive.
The perception of Russian interference deeply affected American politics.
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The book is divided into two parts. The first part is a detailed and evocative account of the poverty and living conditions of the working class in northern England, particularly in mining towns like Wigan. Orwell describes the harsh realities of miners' lives, the poor housing conditions, and the economic struggles faced by these communities. The second part of the book is a more political treatise where Orwell discusses the failures of socialism and his own socialist solutions to the problems he observed. He critiques the middle class and the intellectual left, while advocating for a more practical and compassionate form of socialism[2][4][5].
Mr. Putin
Operative in the Kremlin
Fiona Hill
Clifford Gaddy
This book provides a detailed analysis of Vladimir Putin's rise to power and his leadership style. Hill and Gaddy trace Putin's formative experiences, including his early life in Soviet Leningrad, his KGB training, and his roles in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The authors break down Putin's six identities—Statist, History Man, Survivalist, Outsider, Free Marketeer, and Case Officer—to explain his actions and policies. The book also addresses common misconceptions about Putin and offers insights into his objectives and how he views the outside world, particularly in relation to Western countries and global security[2][3][5].
There Is Nothing for You Here
Fiona Hill
Fiona Hill is the former Senior Director for Europe and Russia of the National Security Council under President Trump and a key witness in his first impeachment trial. She is Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. In her latest book, There Is Nothing For You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century, she describes her journey from the post-industrial north of England to the world of academia at Harvard and the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
In this week’s conversation, Fiona Hill and Yascha Mounk discuss the resonance of populism for working class voters, remaining true to principle in the Trump administration, and the future of Great Power conflict.
The Good Fight 
