The podcast discusses Putin's tactics in the Russian election, Macron's diplomatic efforts, and Rishi Sunak's interest in foreign policy. It delves into the challenges of balancing assertiveness and diplomacy in France's foreign policy, analyzes the impact of a minister's resignation on national security, and explores the UK's position in supporting Ukraine.

Are Vladimir Putin's days numbered? Or is the Russian leader as strong as ever? New from Intelligence Squared we bring you a subscriber exclusive series 'After Putin' where we explore whether after twenty three years of rule in Russia Putin's time in power is coming to an end. Through interviews with policy-makers, military personnel, journalists and academics, we reflect on whether a mutiny led by Yevgeny Prighozin's Wagner forces on Saturday June 24 2023 has set the wheels in motion for a Russia without Putin and what could come next.In this third episode we discuss how power works in Russia and whether Putin is really on the way out. We're joined by journalist and writer Catherine Belton who's award winning book Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West explores the rise of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Edward Lucas, National security expert and columnist for the Times and Shashank Joshi defence editor for the Economist newspaper.If you'd like to hear the rest of this episode and as well as upcoming episodes of 'After Putin' head to intelligencesquared.com/membership or subscribe to our channel on Apple PodcastsThe episode is hosted and produced by senior producer Conor Boyle.Clips: ABC News, Al Jazeera, DW News (edited) Music: - 220522 piano loop by donaldtimo—We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today.Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the wake of the greatest crisis to hit Europe since the Second World War, former Moscow correspondent Tim Whewell examines the president, people and processes that led to that momentous decision, and others like it. Radical advisers, tame oligarchs, intelligence agencies scared to tell Putin the truth and the domestic repercussions of NATO’s political moves - Tim brings together the variety of causes that have led to deep dysfunction and the concentration of power in a single man who risks becoming synonymous with the state itself.Interviewees include investigative journalists Catherine Belton and Andrei Soldatov, and former NATO Secretary General George Robertson.Producer: Nathan Gower Sound: Nigel Appleton Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill Editor: Hugh Levinson