Russian Roulette

Michael Kimmage, Kennan Institute director and foreign policy scholar, offers a brisk read on Russia’s strategic calculus amid the Middle East war. He weighs Russia’s limited leverage and possible economic windfalls from energy. They discuss risks to transatlantic unity, air-defense strains, and how Moscow might exploit global disorder without overcommitting.

Daniel Nexon, Georgetown professor of international relations, and Alexander Cooley, Barnard scholar of post‑Soviet politics and kleptocracy, discuss how authoritarian regimes use transnational corruption as statecraft. They trace global kleptocratic networks, sanctions evasion, shifts in U.S. enforcement, and the roles of crypto and de‑dollarization. Short, sharp takes on geopolitical strategy and corrupt influence.

Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace returned to the show to discuss his recent article with Sophia Besch on the ways that European states can support Ukraine militarily without the involvement of the U.S. Max and Maria asked him about his piece, the funding questions behind its ideas, and Eric's overall assessment on peace negotiations with Russia. This conversation was recorded on February 26, 2026. "Fortress Ukraine: How a Coalition of the Willing Can Rearm Kyiv Without Washington," by Eric Ciaramella and Sophia Besch (Foreign Affairs, January 2026). "What If Trump Gets His Russia-Ukraine Deal?" by Eric Ciaramella (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 2026).

Max and Maria spoke with Hanna Notte, JP Gresh, and Michael Kimmage at a live CSIS event marking the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on February 23, 2026. For the video recording of this event, please go to CSIS.org. "Putin Had High Hopes for Trump. They Have Been Dashed," by Hanna Notte (The New York Times, February 2026). Preorder We Shall Outlast Them: Putin's Global Campaign to Defeat the West, by Hanna Notte (W.W. Norton & Company, August 2026).

Max and Maria were joined by Andrian Prokip and Tim McDonnell to discuss the relentless Russian bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and what this means for average Ukrainians trying to survive the winter months. Be sure to explore Tim McDonnell’s newsletter, Semafor Energy.

Max and Maria delve into the complicated dynamics of Ukrainian resistance under Russian occupation with Jade McGlynn. They discuss the shift towards riskier, private forms of resistance and the heavy toll on civilians amid surveillance. Jade highlights the strategic methods of occupation like forced passporting and demographic changes. The conversation also touches on the ineffectiveness of visible nonviolent actions and the broader mood of exhaustion and fear among Ukrainians as they navigate their struggle. It's a gripping look at resilience in the face of adversity.

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 Separation: Inside the Unraveling U.S.-Ukraine Partnership" by Adam Entous (The New York Times, December 2025).

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 of negotiations compares to the talks in Istanbul at the start of the full-scale invasion back in 2022. This conversation was recorded on December 12, 2025. "America's Magical Thinking About Ukraine: A Bad Deal Is Worse Than No Deal," by Sergey Radchenko (Foreign Affairs, December 2025). "The Talks That Could Have Ended the War in Ukraine: A Hidden History of Diplomacy That Came Up Short — but Holds Lessons for Future Negotiations," by Samuel Charap and Sergey Radchenko (Foreign Affairs, April 2024).

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 24, 2025.

Nikolay Petrov, a senior research fellow focused on Russia's elite dynamics, and Mikhail Troitskiy, a scholar on Russian politics, delve into the repressive climate facing Russia's ruling class. They discuss the historical continuity of elites, comparing transitions from the Soviet era to now. The duo also examines the dual-track signaling that reassured globalized elites pre-invasion and highlights how recent purges serve purposes of governance and populism. Petrov outlines the evolving landscape of repression and the implications for future power dynamics.