Zack, Jenn, and Alex discuss the nationwide demonstrations in Russia in support of dissident opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who returned to the country this week from Germany, where he was recuperating from a poisoning believed to be an assassination attempt directed by the Kremlin. Navalny was immediately arrested upon his arrival, sparking protests across the country. The gang discusses who Navalny is, why President Vladimir Putin views him as a threat to his grip on power, and what the protests might mean for the future of Russia.

References:

Vox has a piece on last weekend’s protests.

Alex wrote about the Biden-Putin call and Navalny’s arrest.

You can find Navalny’s platform here.

Check out Pod Save the World’s interview with a Russian journalist about Navalny.

Russian reporter Alexey Kovalev writes that “something special just happened in Russia.”

This is the Time piece Zack mentioned.

Political scientist Timothy Frye wrote about Putin’s “repression trap” for the Washington Post.

The Atlantic profiles some of Navalny’s most unsavory views.

Jenn noted that Russia has an Internet repression problem.

Hosts:

Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp), senior correspondent, Vox

Jennifer Williams (@jenn_ruth), senior foreign editor, Vox

Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox), White House reporter, Vox

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