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

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 monthlyEpisodes163Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

Investigative journalist Tim Mak, who has been stationed in Ukraine since 2022, joins Max and Maria for a discussion about life in Kyiv, the processes and challenges driving innovation in Ukraine’s dynamic civilian defense combat hubs, and the impact... more

YouTube

Max and Maria sit down with Kate Bondar, Senior Fellow at CSIS’s Wadhwani AI Center and expert on autonomous warfare, to discuss the role of drones in combat in Ukraine, including Russia’s innovation tactics and takeaways from the recent increase in ... more

YouTube

Max and Maria sit down with Dr. Nina Khrushcheva, Professor of International Affairs at the New School and one of the world’s leading experts on Russia, to discuss her new Russian‑language book Nikita Khrushchev: Vozhd vne sistemy (“Nikita Khrushchev... more

YouTube

Max and Maria welcome Sir Lawrence Freedman, historian, author, and Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London, to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine, how he sees the conflict evolving, and what to expect in the critical months ah... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Tim Mak
Investigative journalist
Counteroffensive; The Arsenal; Iran War Dispatches; Build Back Ukraine
Episode: Ukraine's Dynamic Defense Sector: Combat Hubs, Air Defense, and Non-Stop Innovation
Kate Bondar
Senior fellow focusing on Ukrainian drone and defense technology innovation; advisor to the government of Ukraine
Wadhwani AI Center, CSIS; CSIS
Episode: How Drone Innovation Reshapes the Battlefield in Ukraine with Kate Bondar
Nina Khrushcheva
Professor of International Affairs, The New School; Khrushchev biographer
New School; Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Dr. Nina Khrushcheva: History, Evolution, and a View from Inside Russia
Lawrence Freedman
Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Shifting Tides in Ukraine - Lawrence Freedman on the Future of the War
Sam Greene
Professor of Russian politics at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: War, Inflation, and Putin's Paranoia: has Russian Public Opinion Begun to Shift?
Julia Ioffe
Rock star journalist and author
PUC (founding partner and Washington correspondent)
Episode: The History of Russian Feminism with Julia Ioffe
Hanna Notte
Director of the Eurasia Non-Proliferation Program, James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies; Associate Fellow, Kennan Institute; Senior Associate, CSIS ER&E Program
James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies; CSIS ER&E Program
Episode: How the Iran War and the Price of Oil Impact the Kremlin's Calculus
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

Hosts

Max Bergmann
Host of the show; Director of the Stuart Center and Europe-Russia Eurasia Program at CSIS
Maria Snegovaya
Co-host, Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 308 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 States10 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.

Listeners appreciate the rigorous, academic approach but note occasional audio quality issues.
The show is seen as essential for anyone tracking Russia-Ukraine dynamics and energy geopolitics.
Provide listeners with in-depth, data-driven analysis of Russia and Eurasia.
High-quality guest line-up and hosts who challenge ideas in a respectful way.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#216
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#223
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#8
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#32
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#34
Russia/News
Apple Podcasts
#51
Finland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ukraine's Dynamic Defense Sector: Combat Hubs, Air Defense, and Non-Stop Innovation
Q: What lessons can NATO and Western allies learn from Ukraine's approach to defense innovation?
The war shows that rapid procurement, decentralized decision-making, and one‑dollar to one‑thousand‑dollar type tech economics require rethinking timelines and prioritizing nimble, scalable processes over large, expensive platforms; there's value in adapting to fast-changing technologies and procurement cycles.
Ukraine's Dynamic Defense Sector: Combat Hubs, Air Defense, and Non-Stop Innovation
Q: What are the main challenges facing investment and growth in Ukraine's defense startups?
Key obstacles include strict export controls, limited exit options due to reliance on Ukrainian government contracts, weak intellectual property protections, and the absence of a liquid stock market, all of which deter traditional venture investment.
Ukraine's Dynamic Defense Sector: Combat Hubs, Air Defense, and Non-Stop Innovation
Q: What is going on with Ukraine's defense industry and how has it evolved during the war?
Ukraine shifted from a mostly state-driven, limited defense sector to hundreds of new defense companies driven by local commanders and engineers, with the IT sector pivoting to defense tech; this has produced a vibrant ecosystem that outpaces many Western rivals in agility, even as it relies on foreign partnerships for scale.
How Drone Innovation Reshapes the Battlefield in Ukraine with Kate Bondar
Q: How do you characterize the role of the Danish model in Ukraine's defense funding and procurement?
The Danish model channels funds directly to Ukrainian defense contractors with tight oversight and rapid delivery, reducing bureaucratic friction and enabling faster procurement of needed systems.
How Drone Innovation Reshapes the Battlefield in Ukraine with Kate Bondar
Q: What are your top-line conclusions about Russian AI, drones, and how Russia is adapting to the war?
Drones are proliferating and becoming versatile, with Russia showing pockets of modernization and centralized adaptation, while Ukraine leverages Western tech and builds its own defense-industrial base to move toward independence in capabilities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Roulette

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

Analyses center on Russia, Eurasia, and broader post-Soviet dynamics through in-depth conversations with policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. Episodes routinely dissect Moscow's domestic politics, economy, energy leverage, and foreign policy, while unpacking how war, sanctions, and regional power shifts reshape Europe and global security. A notable strength is bringing diverse expert voices—from think tanks, academia, and journalism—into long-form, issue-forward discussions that emphasize nuance, data, and historical context. The show often features forward-looking takes on defense, diplomacy, and governance, making it valuable for listeners involved in policy, strategy, and research who want rigorous, multi-perspective analysis witho... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Russian Roulette:

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

How many episodes of Russian Roulette are there?

Russian Roulette launched 10 years ago and published 163 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. Tim Mak
2. Kate Bondar
3. Nina Khrushcheva
4. Lawrence Freedman
5. Sam Greene
6. Julia Ioffe
7. Hanna Notte
8. Janis Kluge

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