Russian Roulette

This week, Maria interviews Max about the emerging crisis around the future of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine. Max deep dives into the mechanics of how U.S. funding for Ukraine's war effort actually works, the impact of the ouster of Kevin McCarthy from the House speakership on the funding debate, and the potential role of the EU in filling the gap if the Biden administration fails to gain additional congressional authorization to support Kyiv.Learn More:"U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine Is Going to Get Complicated," by Max Bergmann (War on the Rocks, 3/3/2023)

On this week's episode, Max is joined by Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss his recent writing on possible long-term security arrangements for Ukraine while the country remains outside of the NATO alliance.Learn More:"How the West Can Secure Ukraine's Future: Kyiv Needs a Binding Commitment Before NATO Membership" by Eric Ciaramella (Foreign Affairs)"Envisioning a Long-Term Security Arrangement for Ukraine" by Eric Ciaramella (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

In this discussion, Professor Michael Kimmage, an expert on Russian politics from Catholic University, delves into the aftermath of Yevgeny Prigozhin's demise and its implications for Putin's regime. He analyzes shifting power dynamics within the Russian elite and the evolving military strategies amid Ukraine's counteroffensive. The conversation highlights the rising challenges of European political stability due to the Russian threat, as well as the impact of sanctions on Russia's economy and its strategic resilience against international pressure.

On this week's episode, Max and Maria are joined by long-time Russia hand and national security specialist, Rose Gottemoeller, for a wide-ranging conversation on Russian politics, the war in Ukraine, NATO, and nuclear non-proliferation. A former Deputy Secretary General of NATO and Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the U.S. Department of State, Rose reflects on her many years working in U.S.-Russian relations to provide insight on global politics today.

Elina Ribakova, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute focusing on the Russian economy, and Sergey Aleksashenko, a former Deputy Minister of Finance, share their insights on Russia's economic landscape. They discuss the impact of sanctions, revealing military production as a growth driver while non-military sectors struggle. The conversation also explores inflation issues, the ruble's devaluation, and the potential shift towards a Soviet-style economy. Additionally, they analyze the roles of China and other countries in Russia's trade dynamics.

In this episode, Max and Maria are joined by Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly to discuss their most recent work, "The Sea in Russian Strategy," a new edited volume on the growing importance of naval and maritime concerns in Moscow's foreign policy. (Note: This episode was recorded before Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Monday, July 17, 2023.)

Jeffrey Mankoff, a leading expert on Russian military affairs, and Catrina Doxsee, who focuses on Russian foreign policy, dive into the turmoil surrounding Yevgeny Prigozhin's march on Moscow. They discuss the implications of this mutiny for Putin's power and the vulnerabilities it exposed in the Russian military hierarchy. The conversation reveals how Prigozhin's actions challenge the Kremlin's approach and potentially reshape Russia's future stability. They also explore the ongoing struggles of the Wagner Group and the broader impact on Russian military operations.

In this week's episode, Max and Maria sit down with CSIS Senior Associates Jade McGlynn and Michael Kimmage to discuss Jade's latest book, "Russia's War." The book explores the domestic political approval for Russia's ongoing invasion and occupation of Ukraine within Russian society. This episode was recorded on May 25, 2023 as part of a CSIS book event. You can watch the video from the conversation here.

On this week's episode, Max and Maria are joined by Federico Steinberg, a CSIS Visiting Fellow and economist, and Martin Sandbu of the Financial Times. Martin has closely followed the debate around sanctions, with a particular focus on Russian financial reserves that have been frozen by Western governments. His thorough breakdown of this topic is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand the Russian economy today.

Max and Maria are joined again by CSIS Senior Associate Michael Kimmage to discuss Ukraine's impending counteroffensive, and what it could mean for global politics going forward.Learn More:The Eurofile | Tories Battered in UK Local Elections, A Rant about the Stability and Growth Pact, and a Conversation with Jude BlanchetteRussia Sanctions at One YearOut of Stock? Assessing the Impact of Sanctions on Russia’s Defense Industry