The fall of Assad. The capture of Maduro. A ceasefire in Iran. On the surface, it looks like Russia is losing ground, but is it? Dr. Angela Stent, one of the world's leading experts on U.S.-Russia relations and author of Putin's World, says the picture is far more complicated than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Maryanne Maldonado sits down with Dr. Stent to unpack what's really happening inside Russia, whether Putin's grip on power is as strong as it appears, and what a Trump-era reset of U.S.-Russia relations actually means for Ukraine, Europe, and the global order we've taken for granted. From sanctions and oil revenues to NATO fractures and China's quiet role — this is the conversation that puts it all in context. Hosted by Maryanne Maldonado | The Global Lens — A podcast of the World Affairs Council of Houston Subscribe for global affairs content that connects the world to your world. Topics covered: Is Russia really losing influence — or just recalibrating? Putin's grip on power and rising domestic pressure The Trump-Putin relationship and what it means for Ukraine Why a negotiated peace remains out of reach Sanctions, oil revenues, and Russia's economic cracks Europe's fear that Russia's ambitions go beyond Ukraine China's role as Russia's most critical lifeline The shift toward a post-Western global order