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James Kirchick is the author of an important new book: "The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues, and the Coming Dark Age." He and Jay talk it over: the nationalist-authoritarians and their "pope," Vladimir Putin; Madame Le Pen in France; the role of Germany; the importance of Ukraine.

Is Greece a goner? Is the EU anything but a menace? What about the Americans?

Toward the end of the podcast, Jay observes something about Jean-François Revel: One of the reasons he wrote his books was to sound alarms. To rouse people from their slumber before it was too late. Jamie Kirchick's book shares this nature. Hear him out.

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/skies-europe-darkening/.

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Ben Shapiro is the editor-in-chief of The Daily Wire. He is one of the most prominent conservative journalists in America. The 2016 cycle was a wild ride for him, as for many. He has the distinction - is that the word? - of being the No. 1 target for anti-Semitic hate in his field.

And, as Jay notes, the guy has a spine of steel. (Also a stomach of iron.)

With Jay, Shapiro talks about politics today, the Right today, journalism today. His onetime comrade Steve Bannon.

Ben Shapiro's is a very lively mind, and an exceptionally independent one too. He gives you a feast for thought.

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/hes-no-1-ben-shapiro/.

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Michael McFaul is one of the outstanding Russianists in America. A boy from Montana, he made Russia his life's occupation, and preoccupation. He is a professor at Stanford. And he was U.S. ambassador to Russia.

With Jay, he talks about being a student in the Soviet Union. And developments thereafter (personal, national, and international). He talks about Putin and his rule. About NATO and the West. And other critical questions.

He has had rich and rare experience, and he relates it with exceptional skill. This podcast is an enriching half-hour.

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/student-of-russia/.

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Years ago, Radek Sikorski was the chief foreign correspondent of National Review. Later, he was a major politician and statesman in Poland: first the defense minister, then the foreign minister.

With Jay, he talks about some of the most important issues facing Europe and the world: NATO, the EU, the Kremlin, the United States, and so on. He is a man of immense learning and experience, as you will see.

He is also a first-rate conversationalist. Which makes him a valued guest of "Q&A." 

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/range-radek-important-discussion/.

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Alexandra DeSanctis is a colleague of Jay's at National Review. A recent graduate of Notre Dame, she is a William F. Buckley fellow at NRI (the National Review Institute). She is especially knowledgeable about the "life" issues. About abortion in particular. Also, she has been on the beat of Planned Parenthood, doggedly. She and Jay talk about that organization, and about abortion, etc.

"Is this dinner-table conversation?" Jay asks at the end. Is abortion a topic for polite company? For a podcast? In any event, it's an important one. Both Jay and his guest are pro-life, or anti-abortion, if you like. (Jay will even accept "anti-choice," on the subject of abortion.) But perhaps even the other side will be interested in what they have to say. To "know where they're coming from," as was said, once upon a time.

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/podcastable-subject-anyway-abortion/.

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