When one makes a seemingly dramatic choice, they are faced with the option to either walk back the consequences that choice has engendered or be consumed by that choice. This is the predicament Russian President Vladimir Putin has found himself in, argues AEI's Dr. Leon Aron in his new book, Riding the Tiger: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the Uses of War. On this episode of The Eastern Front, Giselle, Dalibor, and Iulia are joined by Dr. Aron to discuss his new book and the "house" that Putin has built in Russia. What have been Putin's most important milestones in building this house? To what extent is Putin's house built on previous iterations of Russia, or even Soviet, imperialism? What have been the primary "uses of war" driving Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine?

Show notes: Sign up for The Eastern Front's bi-weekly newsletter here and follow us on X here. Purchase Riding the Tiger: Vladimir Putin's Russia and the Uses of War here.