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
Jade McGlynn with an Update from Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
Max had wide-ranging conversation with Jade McGlynn while she was traveling in Ukraine. Topics covered include the Ukrainian war effort, the situation behind the lines in the Russian-occupied territories, and the recent…
Max and Maria on the Alaska and White House Peace Summits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:20
Max and Maria give their takes on the recent efforts to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. They analyze the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, and then the meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, a…
Max and Michael Kimmage Catch Up on All Things Russia and Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:35
This week, Max spoke with Michael Kimmage about the recent headlines connected to Russia and Ukraine, and what they mean for the coming months. "The Limits of Putin's Balancing Act: What the Kremlin Will Sacrifice in Pur…
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Geopolitics in the South Caucasus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:35
Max and Maria are joined by Richard Giragosian and Jeffrey Mankoff to talk about the current geopolitical moment in the South Caucasus, with a particular focus on the dynamics at play in the relationships between Armenia…
Hanna Notte on What the Israel-Iran War Means for Russia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Hanna Notte returns to the show for a conversation with Max and Maria about what the most recent round of hostilities between Israel and Iran, plus the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, mean for Russia's own Mi…
Bonus Episode: The Russian Wartime Economy (Live Event Recording) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:00
Max moderated a live panel discussion with Maria, and two leading experts on the Russian economy, Elina Ribakova and Vladislav Inozemtsev. The conversation focused on the findings of the recent report from the CSIS Europ…
A Battlefield Update from Mike Kofman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
Max and Maria get another update from military expert Mike Kofman on the state of the frontlines in Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on June 11, 2025. "The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover" by…