Vladimir Brovkin

Vladimir Brovkin, a Harvard professor specializing in Russian history, offers a compelling look into Vladimir Putin's identity and political motivations. He navigates Putin's rise from Leningrad to power, analyzing how the geopolitical landscape has transformed since the Soviet Union's collapse. Brovkin discusses the intricate dynamics between oligarchs and the state, the impact of U.S. involvement in Ukraine, and critiques the manipulation of fear surrounding Russian aggression. The conversation invites a deeper understanding of Russia's evolving identity and military dynamics.

Vladimir Brovkin, Harvard professor of Russian history, dismantles the 'good Lenin, bad Stalin' myth. The discussion delves into Lenin's governance challenges, impact on ordinary Russian life, the Red Terror, persecution of competing parties, utilitarian views towards peasants and workers, Stalin's political strategies, and Lenin's legacy inspiring Stalin's dictatorship and Deng's economic policies.