Russian Roulette

Russian Roulette

Author: CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies Language: English Episodes: 100
Dive deep into the political landscape, historical currents, and rich social fabric of a vast and consequential region with Russian Roulette. This podcast from the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program is guided by hosts Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya, who bring their expertise to nuanced conversations that move beyond headlines. Each episode delves into the forces shaping Russia and the diverse nations of Eurasia, unpacking everything from foreign policy and internal power dynamics to cultural shifts and societal transformations. You'll hear insightful analysis and engaging discussions with a range of experts, offering listeners a clearer understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities within the post-Soviet space. Produced by Tina Dolbaia and Nick Fenton, the podcast consistently provides context and depth on a part of the world where history is always present. For anyone curious about the intricate politics, compelling stories, and human experiences that define this area, this series serves as an essential guide, making sense of a region that often seems enigmatic from the outside.
Episodes
Adam Entous on U.S.-Ukraine Relations in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:06
Max and Maria spoke with Adam Entous of The New York Times on his in-depth investigation exploring the Trump Administration's policies towards Ukraine in 2025. This conversation was recorded on January 7, 2026. "The Sepa…
Sergey Radchenko on Ukraine Peace Negotiations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Max and Maria spoke with Sergey Radchenko about the state of affairs in peace negotiations over Ukraine as we come to the close of 2025. They discuss the different parties' goals and positions, and how this current round…
The Latest 28-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:01
Max speaks with Michael Kimmage about his immediate reactions to the new 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, and the rapid-fire diplomacy taking place in response to its release. This conversation was recorded on November 2…
The Increased Level of Repressions Within the Russian Elite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:48
Max and Maria spoke with Nikolay Petrov and Mikhail Troitskiy, two leading experts on the contemporary Russian elite, to discuss the current status of this ruling group inside Russia today, and why it finds itself increa…
The 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:51
Max and Maria spoke with Leah Kieff and Vlad Lupan about the outcomes of the recent Moldovan parliamentary elections at the end of September, and why they're significant for both Moldova, and the broader region. This con…
The Russia-India Relationship with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:21
Max sat down with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee to talk about their new CSIS paper, "Guns and Oil: Continuity and Change in Russia-India Relations." They delve into the history of the Russia-India relationship, how…
Michael McFaul on Trump, Putin, and Autocrats vs. Democrats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
Max and Maria spoke with Stanford professor and former ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul to talk about his latest book, and where things stand today in U.S.-Russia relations. Pre-order Autocrats vs. Democrats: China,…