The Bunker – News without the nonsense Putin plays Trump again! — Weekly wrap-up with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis
Dec 5, 2025
Rafael Behr, a political commentator and Guardian columnist, joins Jacob Jarvis to dissect this week's key events. They explore the stalled US-Russia peace talks, delving into Putin’s tactics and Trump's unqualified negotiating team. Behr raises concerns about Trump's recent behavior, pondering its implications for GOP stability. The duo also discusses the political fallout from a recent OBR budget leak and the unexpected delay of English mayoral elections. Plus, a bizarre scandal involving South Africans recruited as mercenaries for Ukraine makes an appearance!
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Zuma Family Linked To Mercenary Recruitment
- Rafael Behr recounts a South African story where Jacob Zuma's daughter allegedly recruited mercenaries to fight in Ukraine disguised as security trainees.
- He uses this to show how the Ukraine war spawns dark, global corruption and trafficking networks.
Europe Can Nudge But Not Replace The US
- Europe can nudge outcomes and has blocked some US diplomatic missteps, but lacks the military and economic leverage to force Russia to concede alone.
- Behr says America still must exert pressure, which Trump is unlikely to do, leaving Europe reactive not decisive.
Unqualified Dealmakers Aren't Fit For Diplomacy
- Trump's negotiators are commercial dealmakers with no statecraft experience, making them ill-suited to negotiate with seasoned Russian officials.
- Behr calls it grubby, mafioso-style bargaining that may not resolve deeper geopolitical and ideological aims.