logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2018
23m 10s

Is the West at War with Russia?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

There’s talk of a new Cold War between Russia and the West. What responsibility does the West carry for the dismal state of relations?

Russian leaders say Nato has expanded far beyond the borders that were agreed when the Soviet Union collapsed and a new European order was thrashed out. They see troops and hardware stationed close to their towns and cities as highly provocative. America and the EU are seen as meddling in the internal affairs of Russia and the states surrounding it by funding pro-democracy movements and helping to topple regimes. And a new arms race is underway. Russian military leaders perceive an active threat from the West – are they right?

The previous edition was: Is Russia At War With The West?

Presenter: Kavita Puri Producer: Lucy Proctor

Up next
Jan 13
Is nuclear disarmament set to self-destruct?
In February 2026, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty bilateral between Russia and the United States is set to expire. The aim of the New START agreement was to reduce and limit the number of strategic nuclear warheads, but once this treaty comes to an end it means the ... Show More
24m 12s
Jan 6
Can Kenya answer the call for employment?
Kenya is facing rising public discontent over allegations of political corruption, economic stagnation and a shortage of good quality jobs, particularly for the country’s Gen Z. One of the government’s flagship responses is an ambitious push into digital outsourcing. It argues th ... Show More
23m 56s
Dec 30
How did music megatours become such a money spinner?
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, redefining what’s possible and confirming a new era in the business of touring. As streaming transformed how we listen to music, selling records is no longer the financial centrepi ... Show More
23m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
War in Ukraine? NATO expansion drives conflict with Russia
Russia is seeking a legally binding pledge that NATO will stop expanding east, including to Ukraine. If the US refuses, is war next? Scholar and author Richard Sakwa analyzes the growing Russia-Ukraine conflict and how Russiagate fueled it. Guest: Richard Sakwa. Professor of Russ ... Show More
51m 43s
Mar 2022
The Ukraine War: A View from Moscow
<p>Russia’s war in Ukraine thus far has not gone Moscow’s way. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have expected that Russian forces would capture Ukraine without much resistance, but Ukrainian forces have put up a fierce fight. The Western response has been more united t ... Show More
41m 46s
Oct 2021
Are NATO and Russia on a collision course?
The tense relationship between Russia and NATO has hit its lowest point since the end of the Cold War. Moscow is breaking ties with the alliance after accusations of spying. So, is Russia on a collision course with NATO? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Dmitry Babich - Politic ... Show More
22m 11s
May 2021
Vladimir Chizhov, Russia’s Ambassador to the EU
Russia’s relations with the West have been poor for some time but now they have reached a new level of hostility. Since the imprisonment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, new sanctions have been imposed by both the US and EU. The Ukraine conflict, allegations of cyber ... Show More
23m 24s
Dec 2021
Pourquoi l'armée russe se déploie aux portes de l'Europe
<p>Des bruits de bottes se sont fait entendre aux portes de l'Europe début décembre. Ce ne sont malheureusement pas ceux des pas de Saint Nicolas, mais ceux des talons des <a href="http://www.slate.fr/story/219870/russie-menace-invasion-ukraine-poutine-pari-otan-occident-risque-g ... Show More
34m 6s
Feb 2022
Jacobin Radio w/ Suzi Weissman: Explaining the US-Russia Saber-Rattling
<p>Suzi talks to professor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Cox_(academic)" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Michael Cox</a> about what is behind Putin’s bluster at the Ukrainian border and the hawkish, confrontational response from the US, UK, and NATO.&nbsp;Is t ... Show More
58m 27s
Mar 2022
Can the West Stop Russia by Strangling its Economy?
<p>There’s the Russia-Ukraine war that’s easy to follow in the news right now. We can watch Russian bombs falling on Ukraine, see Russian tanks smoking on the side of the road, hear from Ukrainian resistance fighters livestreaming their desperate defense.</p><p>But there’s anothe ... Show More
1h 35m