Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) joins host Ron Steslow to examine how Ukraine’s widening reach is bringing the war home to Russia and what a defeated Russia could become. 

They begin with the war’s new geography: strikes that have idled a quarter of Russia’s refining capacity, and drones now reaching the Caspian corridor between Russia and Iran. 

Next, they trace Ukraine’s rise from scrappy insurgent to serious power, erasing Russian sanctuary and moving to the center of Europe’s security future.

Then they examine The Economist’s profile of oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, who warns against breaking Russian sovereignty and sketches four dangerous futures for a defeated Russia.  

Finally, they confront what holding Russia responsible would truly require. 

In Politicology+, they take stock of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and what his absence means for the Republican Party’s fading support for Ukraine.

POLITICOLOGY+

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Check out Great Power: https://www.greatpower.us/

Read The Economist’s coverage of Andrey Melnichenko: https://bit.ly/4x5YvDk

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Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow

Molly McKew on X: https://x.com/MollyMcKew

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