Stay Tuned with Preet With Putin, Trump Bends the Knee (with Tom Nichols)
15 snips
Aug 21, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Tom Nichols, a national security expert and staff writer at The Atlantic. He delves into Trump’s recent engagements with Putin and Zelenskyy, questioning the future of U.S. influence in global affairs. They discuss the fragile unity of the West and the historical context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nichols also critiques Trump's diplomatic style and its contradictions, while exploring Gavin Newsom’s social media strategies. Additional insights include pressing political controversies and a bonus discussion on redistricting.
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Biryani Promise For A Future Visit
- Tom Nichols mentions missing Indian food where he lives on a beach town with few options.
- Preet offers to take Nichols for biryani when he visits New York.
Putin Benefited; Trump Appeared Humiliated
- Putin gained prestige and legitimacy from meeting Trump and faced little downside in attending Alaska.
- Nichols argues Putin left empowered while Trump performed deferential theatrics.
Warmth Undermined Leverage
- The meeting failed because Trump publicly echoed Russian talking points and praised Putin, undermining any leverage.
- Nichols says the proper U.S. approach would have been stone-faced firmness, not warmth and praise.
