Rephonic
Artwork for Russian Roulette
Russia
Ukraine
China
European Union
Iran
NATO
War In Ukraine
Trump Administration
Ukraine War
United States
Middle East
Sanctions
CSIS
Europe
Kremlin
Cold War
Vladimir Putin
Kursk
Israel
Military Strategy

Hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS, Russian Roulette explores the politics, history, and complex societies of Russia and Eurasia. Tune in for fascinating interviews and discussions on some of the biggest questions facing the broader post-Soviet space. Produced by David Lotfi, Lexi Linafelter, and Nicholas Fenton

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes159Founded10 years ago
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GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

Max and Maria welcome back Dr. Sam Greene, professor of Russian Politics at King's College London, to discuss the state of Russian public opinion today, and whether domestic conditions have begun change given the state of the economy, war, and report... more

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Max and Maria welcome back Elina Ribakova to discuss her latest piece in Foreign Affairs, exploring the Ukrainian defense industry and its potential capacity to help Europe secure its own defense.

More from Elina in Foreign Affairs: Europe’s Untappe... more

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Max and Maria are joined by journalist and author Julia Ioffe to discuss her recent book, Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy.

Motherland is available now from HarperCollins Publishers.

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Max and Maria are joined by Hanna Notte and Janis Kluge for a deep dive on how the Iran war and turmoil in global energy markets continue to impact Russian foreign policy.

 This conversation was recorded on March 25, 2026.

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Recent Guests

Julia Ioffe
Rock star journalist and author
PUC (founding partner and Washington correspondent)
Episode: The History of Russian Feminism with Julia Ioffe
Janis Kluge
Deputy Head of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division
German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Episode: How the Iran War and the Price of Oil Impact the Kremlin's Calculus
Alexander Cooley
Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College; former Director of Harriman Institute
Barnard College / Harriman Institute
Episode: Transnational Corruption in Foreign Policy Today
Daniel Nexon
Professor at Georgetown University, Government and School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University
Episode: Transnational Corruption in Foreign Policy Today
Eric Ciaramella
Senior Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council; former Ukraine Director on the National Security Council Staff
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Eric Ciaramella on How Europe Can Arm Ukraine
JP Gresh
Retired US Army Colonel and foreign area officer; former defense attaché in Moscow
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program
Episode: Four Years of the War in Ukraine (Live Event)
Andrian Prokip
Head of the energy program at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future
Ukrainian Institute for the Future
Episode: Ukraine's Ongoing Energy Crisis
Tim McDonnell
Climate and energy editor at Semafor
Semafor
Episode: Ukraine's Ongoing Energy Crisis
Adam Entous
A legendary reporter who has written extensively on U.S.-Ukraine relations and covered the Trump Administration's engagement with Ukraine.
The New York Times
Episode: Adam Entous on U.S.-Ukraine Relations in 2025

Hosts

Max Bergmann
Director of the Stuart Center and Europe-Russia Eurasia Program at CSIS.
Dr. Maria Snegovaya
Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at CSIS.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 301 ratings
  • September 2025

    My favorite part of the show is the theme music!

    I imagine Maria dancing to the music, Go-Go Style, in a 1960s mini-skirt!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Geoplanter
    United States8 months ago
  • Great analysis

    Good to hear the full background and insights that these analyst bring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    >>l
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Anti putin anti trump

    Pro DC pro EU pro war

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    very funny and clever pod
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Great wisdom

    The informed and professional people on this show bring a high level of thoughtful discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    QE Infinity
    United Statesa year ago
  • Well-informed insightful analysis

    Excellent analysis, stellar panel of speakers with balanced and engaging hosts. One suggestion: in most analysis I miss the European Union as an agent on its own right. I understand that CSIS is an US based think-tank, but missing the EU’s views leaves the picture incomplete. Of course I am biased, working for one of the EU institutions… but still :-)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kihoyo
    Belgium2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are concerns about the audio quality at times, which can detract from the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality analysis and expert insights provided by knowledgeable guests and hosts.
Listeners find the discussions on current geopolitical issues timely and relevant, often highlighting the depth of exploration into topics regarding Russia and Ukraine.
Overall, the podcast is viewed as a vital resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of Eurasian politics.
Some feedback indicates that the hosts could improve their conversational dynamics to enhance flow and engagement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#128
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#172
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#246
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#18
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#19
Ukraine/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Ukrainian Defense Industry and Europe’s Untapped Arsenal
Q: What was the central argument of the Foreign Affairs piece and why now?
The piece argued that Ukraine could become Europe's defense arsenal due to its advanced drone tech and a unique ecosystem that accelerates innovation, especially in air defense given recent regional conflicts; the timing is tied to Israel-Iran dynamics and Europe's need for faster rearmament.
The History of Russian Feminism with Julia Ioffe
Q: What controversies or hard truths did you uncover while researching?
I uncovered that many foundational feminist reforms were limited by top-down implementation, and even when women entered professions in large numbers, enduring gender norms, labor division, and policy misalignments persisted, leading to widespread exhaustion and limited long-term transformation.
The History of Russian Feminism with Julia Ioffe
Q: How did you choose which women to center in the narrative?
I picked women who could illuminate larger historical contexts by being connected to the top leadership and by representing everyday life, and I leaned on conversations with historians like Nina Khrushcheva to identify the link between the women at the top and the country's fate; the goal was to tell the story through those women while weaving in the family stories.
The History of Russian Feminism with Julia Ioffe
Q: So Julia, could you give us an overview of your book and why you wrote it?
I wrote it partly because my family stories highlighted extraordinary women who were ordinary in their time, and I wanted to reveal how what felt ordinary could be deeply remarkable in the broader history; the project grew from the idea of retelling 150 years of history through the lens of Soviet and Russian women, rather than through male political leaders.
How the Iran War and the Price of Oil Impact the Kremlin's Calculus
Q: Janis, maybe you could explain that a little bit about what the de-sanctioning of Russian oil at sea means for market dynamics.
It's a quick fix with limited impact; it helps temporarily reduce discounts on Russian oil and, in some cases, can allow oil to fetch higher prices at Indian ports, but it does not constitute lifting sanctions and the relief is short-lived.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Roulette

What is Russian Roulette about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the intricate politics, history, and societal dynamics of Russia and Eurasia, the content features engaging discussions and thought-provoking interviews with experts on significant issues impacting the post-Soviet landscape. Episodes tackle various themes, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, U.S.-Russia relations, energy crises, and the implications of global geopolitical strategies, providing listeners with nuanced insights that resonate with current events. The hosts' expertise is complemented by a diverse range of guests, enhancing the overall analysis with multiple viewpoints and rich perspectives.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Russian Roulette:

1. Pekingology
2. ChinaPower
3. War on the Rocks
4. The Asia Chessboard
5. In Moscow's Shadows

How many episodes of Russian Roulette are there?

Russian Roulette launched 10 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Russian Roulette?

Recent guests on Russian Roulette include:

1. Julia Ioffe
2. Janis Kluge
3. Alexander Cooley
4. Daniel Nexon
5. Eric Ciaramella
6. JP Gresh
7. Andrian Prokip
8. Tim McDonnell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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