logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
29m 24s

Russia’s Next Target?

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

Curious explosions in a Russian stronghold of Moldova have the world wondering if Putin is making his next play. Why is a tiny country on Ukraine’s western border of such strategic importance?

Guest: Monika Pronczuk, Brussels-based reporter for the New York Times.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Jun 2024
Hunter Biden’s Judgment Day
Is Hunter Biden’s trial proof that the justice system doesn’t care about your last name? Or is the president’s son being targeted?  Guest: Ankush Khardori, attorney and a former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ... Show More
23m 17s
Jun 2024
What’s Biden Doing with the Border?
Joe Biden’s new executive order severely limits migrants from seeking asylum at the border. It’s a far cry from his campaign rhetoric and the New York Times called it the most restrictive immigration policy issued by any modern Democrat. What is he trying to accomplish? Guest: Jo ... Show More
26m 49s
Jun 2024
TBD | Fee’d Up: A Musician’s Take on Ticketmaster
It’s hard to imagine music fans mourning a break-up of Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, as a Department of Justice lawsuit requests. But even with this monopolistic middleman out of the way, touring musicians still seem destined to struggle financially. Guest: Lau ... Show More
23m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
What Next: On the Ground With a Ukrainian Journalist
What it’s been like for one Ukrainian-American journalist to cover the Russian attack on his homeland: “The first couple of days of the war, I threw myself into work, and then after that, I couldn't function for a day or two. And I quickly figured out that if I keep working, then ... Show More
26m 26s
Feb 2024
What Next: The American Oligarch Class
How did America end up back in a Gilded Age of incredible wealth disparity, and how did a new generation of oligarchs bend society to their vision?  Guest: Tim Murphy, senior reporter for Mother Jones. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus ... Show More
26m 34s
Mar 2023
Is Moldova next in Putin’s sights?
A small pro-Russian political party is leading anti-government protests in the former Soviet state amid warnings from Ukraine and Moldovan security services that Russia is plotting to overthrow the country’s pro-EU government. Could this be part of Vladimir Putin’s grand plan? Th ... Show More
27m 11s
Feb 2022
The Russian Invasion Begins
After months of escalating tensions, President Vladimir V. Putin took to state television on Thursday to declare the start of a “special military operation” in Ukraine.In the prelude to the invasion and as Russian troops launched their attacks, we spoke to our colleagues on the g ... Show More
20m 49s
Apr 2022
What Next: Pennsylvania’s Nutty Senate Race
Pennsylvania’s got a U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, and the primary is shaping up to be a showdown between moderate, establishment candidates and those on the fringes of each party. Guest: Jonathan Tamari, national political writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer. If you enjoy this ... Show More
30m 22s
Feb 2022
Will Putin invade Ukraine?
Over 100,000 Russian troops have amassed on the Ukrainian border, stoking fears across the West that President Putin is posturing for an invasion. But what is he really after? And how did we get here?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times an ... Show More
32m 7s
Aug 2023
Could Ukraine Hold a Wartime Election?
Sign up for NordVPN and get an 4 EXTRA months using our link: http://www.NordVPN.com/TLDR Welcome to the TLDR News Daily Briefing In today’s episode, we run through Zelenskyy’s promise to push for Ukrainian elections. Also, we discuss why the Estonian PM is under fire; tensions i ... Show More
8m 33s
Dec 2021
Will Russia invade Ukraine?
In recent weeks Russia has increased its military presence on the Ukrainian border, worsening already-strained relationships with the West. But is Vladimir Putin really going to invade the former Soviet state? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of T ... Show More
29m 57s
Feb 2022
Ukraine Powder Keg: Why NATO Expansion Must End
[This episode was recorded Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 3 PM Eastern Standard Time] A historic crisis is playing out in Eastern Europe over Ukraine, one that has profound ramifications for the entire world. The United States and its allies are imposing harsh sanctions on Rus ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 2023
What Next: U.S. vs Trump
We’re eight months into the year—and former president Donald Trump has now been indicted three times. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury charged Trump with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction. But what exactly does that mean? And can someone really run for presi ... Show More
25m 51s