Hosts Rania Khalek and Kevin Gosztola are joined by Mark Ames, a journalist and co-host of the Radio War Nerd podcast. He also is the co-author of "The Exile: Sex, Drugs, and Libel in the New Russia" and "Going Postal: Rage, Murder, and Rebellion from Reagan's Workplaces to Clinton's Columbine and Beyond." He worked on a satirical publication that was shut down by the Kremlin. Ames joins the show to talk about the history of the United States government's meddling in Russia, especially how the government backed Boris Yeltsin to lead the country. He addresses the frenzy over Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and the complete lack of evidence of conspiracy. He also discusses Putin and who he is as a leader and how it is ridiculous to suggest Putin is similar to Trump. There is no discussion portion because Ames talked with us for a full hour. If you would like to support the show and help keep us going strong, please become a subscriber on .