Stephen Kotkin, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and a prominent historian of Russian and Soviet history, dives deep into the mechanics of totalitarian power. He discusses the enduring influence of Buddhism and shamanism in Siberia, and how the landscape shaped its residents. Kotkin shares personal anecdotes from his time in Magnitogorsk and explores Stalin’s complex relationship with artistic genius. He also navigates the intricacies of researching WWII, revealing the moral dilemmas faced in studying such a controversial figure.

Stephen Kotkin, a renowned historian specializing in Stalin and Soviet history, dives deep into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He explores the historical parallels between Putin and Stalin, shedding light on their geopolitical ambitions. Kotkin discusses the implications of authoritarianism versus democracy, emphasizing Ukraine’s struggle for freedom. The conversation also highlights the humanitarian crises caused by war and the moral obligations leaders have to protect civilians. With predictions for Putin's future regime, this discussion is a captivating blend of history and current affairs.

Stephen Kotkin, a renowned historian and Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, shares insights on pivotal global issues. He probes the implications of Donald Trump’s potential reelection, analyzing American political shifts and upcoming elections worldwide. Kotkin addresses the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting Putin’s misjudgments and discussing authoritarian governance. He also examines rising tensions in the Middle East related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Israel's strategies, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to achieve lasting peace.

Joining the conversation is Stephen Kotkin, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and expert on Soviet history. He dives into American power dynamics under Trump, exploring the impact of fiscal challenges like crippling debt and military readiness. Kotkin draws parallels with the decline of the British Empire while discussing geopolitical tensions, particularly with China over Taiwan. The dialogue also touches on the complexities of tariffs, political polarization, and the urgent need for effective governance amidst a shifting global landscape.

Stephen Kotkin, a historian specializing in Russia and a fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, discusses Donald Trump's controversial stance on the Ukraine conflict. He highlights Trump’s admiration for Putin and critiques of Zelensky, raising concerns about U.S. foreign policy implications. Kotkin examines the changing landscape of American power and the limitations it faces, stressing that while Trump's views may be flawed, they reflect underlying realities in global politics. The conversation navigates the shifting geopolitical dynamics and the impact on U.S. commitments.

Historian Stephen Kotkin discusses Putin's resurgence in Russia, Biden administration's response to Ukraine, complexities of a potential armistice deal in 2022, navigating the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and speculating on Trump's return. The podcast explores Russia's future scenarios, geopolitical challenges, and the significance of managed competition in international relations.

Stephen Kotkin, a Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and author on Russia, dives into the intricate dynamics of the Ukraine conflict. He argues both sides have incurred significant losses and discusses the urgent need for a new path to peace. Kotkin examines the pressures on Putin and the strategic complexities affecting U.S. foreign policy. He also highlights the roles of NATO and European allies in shaping geopolitical responses, emphasizing the growing need for coherent strategies in a shifting landscape.

Historian Stephen Kotkin joins Niall Ferguson and John Cochrane to discuss the axis of ill will formed by Russia, China, and Iran, the challenges faced by Israel, and the uncertainty in US strategy. They also explore the need for President Biden to explain Ukraine's funding, the rise of China and its potential dangers, and the importance of unity and national purpose during times of crisis.

Stephen Kotkin is the Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and one of the foremost experts on Russia, past and present. Given the momentous series of events in that country over the past few weeks, we recruited Professor Kotkin to sit for another installment (this time in front of a live audience at Hoover) of our occasional Five Questions for Stephen Kotkin series. In this installment, Kotkin discusses the recent mutiny attempt by Wagner military group head Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin’s perhaps tenuous future, how the Ukrainian offensive might play out, and the future of the NATO alliance.

Historian Stephen Kotkin became the Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution in 2022. He taught at Princeton for more than 30 years, and is the author of nine works of history, including the first two volumes of his biography of Joseph Stalin, Paradoxes of Power, 1878 to 1928 and Waiting for Hitler, 1929 to 1941. He is now completing the third and final volume. Since the war in Ukraine broke out a year ago, Kotkin has appeared regularly on Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson to offer his unique perspective on the Russian aggression and answer five questions for us. This is the third installment.