Show 323 - Gas Up the Cold War

The U.S. political stage has long been primed for an American nightmare. Faction loyalists can argue over who'll end up pulling the constitutional trigger, but the metaphorical gun has been loaded for decades. 

After 20 years in Afghanistan the U.S. exits the country thus ending the longest war in American history. Are there any lessons to be learned? 

In a show recorded before the recent House impeachment vote, Dan examines the damage caused by the iceberg we recently hit when Americans stormed the U.S. Capitol and tries to suggest how we might avoid hitting another one. 

In a speech on Wednesday, President Vladimir V. Putin said that he would require hundreds of thousands more Russians to fight in Ukraine — and alarmed the West by once again raising the specter of nuclear force.The mobilization signals that Mr. Putin is turning the war from one o ... Show More

Vladimir Putin turns 70 today. In recent weeks, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen territorial losses, a shambolic partial mobilisation, sham referendums and threats of nuclear attacks. So what possible outcomes are there for President Putin’s plan?This podcast was brought to ... Show More

The diplomatic talks in Geneva this week are of a kind not seen in a long time: an effort to defuse the possibility of a major war in Europe.President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has amassed military equipment and personnel on the border with Ukraine.President Biden has warned th ... Show More

The Russian military is on the move toward the border with Ukraine, with American intelligence suggesting that Moscow is preparing for an offensive involving some 175,000 troops.Could the moves herald a full-scale invasion? And if so, what is driving President Vladimir V. Putin’s ... Show More

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its second day, we bring this special episode of the World Review podcast. Ukraine is facing an onslaught from Russian forces on several fronts, with troops entering the northern districts of the capital, Kyiv. The Ukrainian presi ... Show More

Ben assesses the escalating situation in Ukraine, from Putin’s recognition of separatist regions and his deployment of troops as peacekeepers to the first wave of sanctions against Russia. Then, he chats with Max Seddon, bureau chief of The Financial Times in Moscow, about Putin’ ... Show More

After weeks of threats, Putin has sent soldiers and tanks into eastern Ukraine. Shaun Walker and Patrick Wintour explain what the new stage of the crisis means for Ukraine and its allies. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Can anyone talk Russian President Putin out of his war in Ukraine? French President Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Bennett are trying. The U.S. says it gave Putin off ramps before the invasion. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy ... Show More