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

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 monthlyEpisodes168Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

Max Bergmann is joined by Hanna Notte and Natasha Hall to map the escalation risks, assess Russia's shifting military and diplomatic footprint in Syria under the new government of Ahmed al-Sharaa, and parse what a surprise CIA visit to Moscow reveals... more

YouTube

Maria Snegovaya sits down with Pavel Talankin –– a Russian schoolteacher who became an unlikely lens into the Russian propaganda machine. His documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, captured two years of footage from inside a provincial Russian classr... more

NOTE: This interview was conducted in Russian. The English audio was created with AI dubbing software and reviewed by native speakers of both languages for accuracy.

Maria Snegovaya sits down with Pavel Talankin –– a Russian schoolteacher who became... more

YouTube

Maria Snegovaya sits down with Nate Vance — a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces after the 2022 invasion — to discuss Ukrainian and Russian military tactics, life as an infantryman on the front lines, and the impact ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Pavel Talankin
Academy Award-winning director and Russian schoolteacher
Director of Mr. Nobody Against Putin; teacher in Karabash
Episode: Putin’s Propaganda Machine in Russian Classrooms (A Russian Language Exclusive)
David Lotfi
Producer (episode intro mentions production team)
Producer on the podcast
Episode: Putin’s Propaganda Machine in Russian Classrooms (A Russian Language Exclusive)
Nate Vance
Former US Marine Corps veteran; fought with the Da Vinci Wolves in Ukraine
Da Vinci Wolves (Ukrainian Armed Forces volunteer unit)
Episode: How Ukraine Fights: Reflections from the Front Lines feat. Nate Vance
Jade McGlynn
Scholar of Eastern European and Russian studies; senior research fellow at King's College London
King's College London; CSIS (non-resident)
Episode: Has the War Come Home to Russia?
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
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?
Elina Ribakova
Non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Bruegel; director of the International Affairs Program at the Keefe School of Economics
Peterson Institute for International Economics; Bruegel; Keefe School of Economics
Episode: The Ukrainian Defense Industry and Europe’s Untapped Arsenal

Hosts

Max Bergmann
Host of Russian Roulette, CSIS program leadership in Europe-Russia Eurasia; senior CSIS analyst with broad Russia/Eurasia expertise
Maria Snegovaya
Co-host; Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia; CSIS Europe-Russia Eurasia Program, CSIS

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 319 ratings
  • Really great podcast, but…

    …please can you ask Maria to slow down and ask questions, rather than give speeches? A question should be single idea and last no longer than twenty seconds, ideally. Max also guilty of over-long questions at times.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lifeclearout
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great wisdom

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    QE Infinity
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show features high-quality analysis from distinguished guests and hosts.
Audience finds the content highly informative for policy and research planning.
Listeners appreciate in-depth discourse and rigorous analysis on Russia and Eurasia.
Guest diversity and topic breadth are strong points, though some cite audio quality and host interruptions as areas for improvement.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#95
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#219
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#104
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#105
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#136
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#139
Indonesia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Russia's Classrooms Face Putin’s Propaganda Machine
Q: How did the documentary come to focus on the specific schools and teachers in Karabash?
The filmmaker describes following orders and real lessons to reveal how propaganda was implemented in everyday classrooms, using a centralized data portal and directly filmed classes to show the process from inside.
Putin’s Propaganda Machine in Russian Classrooms (A Russian Language Exclusive)
Q: How did children react to the propaganda in the classroom, and did reactions vary by age?
Younger students tended to accept the narratives more readily as reality, while older students could compare and sometimes resist, though many still internalized the propaganda due to continuous reinforcement and the school environment.
Has the War Come Home to Russia?
Q: Does Putin have total freedom of movement or is public opinion constraining him?
Public opinion is a factor but not the sole driver; there are hardliners who demand a stronger course and moderates who want to relax, with the overall effect depending on how economic and military pressures evolve.
Has the War Come Home to Russia?
Q: What do you think is happening with Russian public opinion, and is there change or still the same dynamics?
The argument is that there are shifts due to shocks like strikes, but overall public opinion is not monolithic; there is heterogeneous support and it functions more as an output than a lever that dictates policy.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Roulette

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

A thoughtful, policy-forward show that analyzes Russia, Eurasia, and post-Soviet dynamics through expert interviews and in-depth geopolitical discussions. Episodes frequently cover public opinion in Russia, defense tech and Ukraine, energy and sanctions, and how historical patterns shape contemporary politics. Notable strengths include access to top CSIS analysts and a steady stream of high-caliber guests—from regional historians to defense researchers—creating a rigorous, horizon-expanding view of security, economy, and society in the region. The format typically blends on-the-record analysis with on-the-ground reporting, offering listeners actionable context for policymakers, journalists, and strategy professionals while maintaining acces... more

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1. The Asia Chessboard
2. Pekingology
3. ChinaPower
4. War on the Rocks
5. Global Security Briefing

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Russian Roulette launched 10 years ago and published 168 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. Pavel Talankin
2. David Lotfi
3. Nate Vance
4. Jade McGlynn
5. Tim Mak
6. Nina Khrushcheva
7. Lawrence Freedman
8. Sam Greene

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