The Russia Guy

Kevin returns to run his mouth about recent events in the Russia-Ukraine world, and other stuff. Topics discussed here: Twitter ad revenue sharing Russia's new Moon mission, Luna-25 Slow counteroffensive darkens mood in Ukraine Sergey Vakulenko on the Black Sea naval war Blocking VPNs and Google services Navalny's essay from prison on Russia in the 1990s Viral videos: Alexander Dudka, the collaborationist mayor of Lazurne in the occupied Kherson region, and an argument at a playground between mothers in Krasnodar

Today’s guest is Dr. Jade McGlynn, a specialist in Russian memory and foreign policy at the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies and the author of two books: “The Kremlin’s Memory Makers” and “Russia’s War.” Discussed in this interview: the Kremlin’s claims that Russia is fighting an existential battle in Ukraine, how memory shapes that conversation, balancing dispassionate scholarly work and ethical advocacy, and more!

Today’s show features an interview with Jonny Tickle, a man with an incredible name and a controversial resume, given that he worked as a writer for Russia Today — RT — right up until Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. He left the country shortly thereafter, but he’s since returned (like quite a few others), and he’s even resumed his YouTube travel vlog where he visits cities across Russia and talks about the local scene and attractions. Jonny agreed to come on The Russia Guy to talk about being back in Russia, what’s in store for him next, and what life is like in a country at war where you can’t even call it a war. Skip to the bits you want: (1:26) Being safe in Russia today. (3:46) Why go back to Russia? (11:36) The vibe on the streets of Moscow. (19:33) Today’s journalism about Russia.

Today’s guest is Dr. Emily Holland, an assistant professor in the Russia Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College, where she teaches and researches subjects like the Cold War, Russia, energy politics, diplomacy, geopolitics, and more. Follow her on Twitter here. In the interview you’re about to hear, Dr. Holland describes her background and the nature of her job at the Naval War College before explaining the challenges and tradeoffs inherent in the West’s efforts to isolate Russia’s oil and gas industries. Timestamps for this episode: (5:56) How did you get into studying Russia? (7:53) Mixing a geopolitical and cultural interest in Russia. (10:05) What is the Russia Maritime Studies Institute at the U.S. Naval War College? (14:24) The identity crisis among Russia studies scholars in the U.S. (19:25) Resistance to “strategic empathy.” (21:24) The next generation of American experts on Russia. (22:49) Expanding diversity among America’s Russia scholars. (25:02) What are the tradeoffs of boycotting Russian fuel? (33:21) Cracks in the newly reinvigorated Transatlantic unity. Music: Joey Pecoraro, “Russian Dance,” and Олег Анофриев, Бременские музыканты, “Говорят, мы бяки-буки”

Today’s guest is Dr. Marlene Laruelle, the director of Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and the Illiberalism Studies Program at George Washington University. On this episode of The Russia Guy, Dr. Laruelle discussed her 2021 book, “Is Russia Fascist? Unraveling Propaganda East and West,” and its relevance to today’s crisis in Ukraine. We focused specifically on the book’s insights into Russian geopolitics and post-colonialism. Read more about the book here! Timestamps for this episode: (3:02) Is the book about Putin or Russia?  (4:10) What’s the role of Russian illiberalism in the current Ukraine crisis? (6:40) Why is Russia pressing its case in Ukraine at precisely this moment? (8:46) Would Russia get along better with a more illiberal Europe? (11:34) Vladimir Putin vs. Charles de Gaulle (14:59) Russia’s post-imperial struggle (22:37) Normalcy for Russia vs. normalcy for the West Music and audio for "The Russia Guy": Joey Pecoraro, "Russian Dance" Олег Анофриев, Бременские музыканты, “Говорят, мы бяки-буки” Oi Čorna by Yale Women's Slavic Chorus (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 US) Table Dance by The Underscore Orkestra (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US) Support this show on Patreon!