The last Soviet leader steps down. And the story of an American teacher detained for 'drug smuggling'

The last Soviet leader steps down. And the story of an American teacher detained for 'drug smuggling'

Author: The Moscow Times March 21, 2019 Duration: 22:53
This week on From Russia With News, we discuss the shock resignation of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev with Joanna Lillis, a journalist in Kazakhstan and author of the acclaimed book on the country: “Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan.” We'll also talk to journalist Marc Bennetts about the trial of Gaylen Grandstaff, an American who has already spent two years in a Russian pre-detention cell on dubious drug smuggling charges.

Every week, the team at The Moscow Times unpacks the complex and rapidly changing landscape of Russia. From Russia With News is more than a headlines recap; it’s a deep dive into the stories shaping society and culture, often from perspectives you won't find elsewhere. You'll hear directly from journalists on the ground and insightful guests who provide essential context, turning the week's events into a coherent narrative. This podcast offers clarity and nuance on everything from political shifts and social movements to artistic expression and everyday life, all framed by the expertise of one of the region's most trusted independent news sources. Tune in for a vital, on-the-ground understanding of a country that remains central to global conversations, delivered with the depth and rigor you’d expect from The Moscow Times. Each episode is built to inform the curious listener, making sense of a nation in flux through thoughtful analysis and firsthand reporting.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 36

From Russia With News
Podcast Episodes
Gay purge in Chechnya. And crumbling Soviet infrastructure. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:59
Yekaterina Sokirianskaya of the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Center explains why Ramzan Kadyrov’s crackdown on the LGBT community in Chechnya is unlikely to be stopped. And following a series of fatal gas explosions…
Paul Whelan spy scandal. A schism in the Orthodox Church. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
Washington Post reporter Amie Ferris-Rotman has the latest on the espionage scandal unfolding in Moscow. And religious affairs columnist Christopher Stroop explains what’s likely to come of the rift between the Russian a…
End of year special: Looking back on 2018 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:41
Moscow Times editors Eva Hartog and Jonathan Brown discuss the ups and downs of 2018 with former MT editor Nabi Abdullaev, Guardian correspondent Andrew Roth and Reuters reporter Polina Ivanova.