Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer-prize winning historian, dives into how dictators like Putin cling to power and the vulnerabilities behind their regimes. Columnists Manveen Rana and Jimmy McLoughlin discuss the recent rail negotiations, highlighting the tensions between big business and labor. They also tackle the societal challenges around A-level results and the implications of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the fragility of democracy against autocratic forces. The conversation weaves through politics, education, and global strategies, painting a vivid picture of today's dynamics.