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Can Ukraine Prevail?
EPISODE SUMMARY
We pause our coverage of Trump’s burgeoning legal minefield and the related political landscape for a periodic close look at the current status & future prospects of the Russia-Ukraine War. A phenomenal set of experts–former Ambassador Mike McFaul, columnist and CFR senior fellow Max Boot, & CFR fellow for Europe Liana Fix–join Harry for a clear-eyed look at whether full victory for Ukraine remains possible, the state of support in the West, the contours of an end game, and many related issues.
Getting Inside The Mind Of Vladimir Putin
EPISODE SUMMARY
Michael McFaul, President Obama’s ambassador to Moscow, drew on history to discover what makes Putin tick.
Shadow Politics
EPISODE SUMMARY
March to Moscow… Our guest, US Ambassador to Russia - Michael McFaul!
A Russian oligarch and mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin was a former chief and close confidant of Russian president Vladimir Putin. "Prigo" launched an alleged coup d'état June 24-25, 2023. Former Ambassador to Russia, Dr. Michael McFaul, will shine some light on what this means now for superpower Russia and its "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Is Vladimir Putin’s grasp on power as ironclad as it seemed?
EPISODE SUMMARY
Yevgeny Prigozhin, who leads the paramilitary force called the Wagner Group, led an open rebellion against President Putin’s military leadership over the weekend.
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia says aborted Moscow march signals Putin's weakness
EPISODE SUMMARY
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, to get his reading on Saturday's events in Moscow.
Michael McFaul, The Axe Files with David Axelrod
EPISODE SUMMARY
In high school, Michael McFaul developed an interest in the Soviet Union that would eventually lead to him serving as US Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, McFaul emerged as a vocal supporter of Ukraine. McFaul joined David to talk about his work advising on sanctions against Russia, why he believes that the US should go all-in on military aid to Ukraine, how Russian President Vladimir Putin could claim victory, how much time Ukraine has to turn the tide of the war, and his skepticism that Putin will resort to using a nuclear weapon.
Putin's endgame: How he could define his own victory over Ukraine
EPISODE SUMMARY
A full year into its launch, the war in Ukraine is a far cry from the rapid invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin had planned. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Chuck to outline Putin's possible paths forward — including the justifications the Russian president may make to save face.