Rephonic
Artwork for Russian Roulette
Russia
Ukraine
China
NATO
European Union
Iran
War In Ukraine
Trump Administration
Ukraine War
United States
Drones
Middle East
Sanctions
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 monthlyEpisodes167Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

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

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

Max Bergmann sits down with Maria Snegovaya and Jade McGlynn, senior associate (non-resident) with the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and senior research fellow / head of the Ukraine and Russia Program at King's College London, to discuss h... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
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
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 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 Kingdom2 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 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

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
#212
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#196
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#113
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#123
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#138
Norway/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#144
Russia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

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?

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 167 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. Nate Vance
2. Tim Mak
3. Kate Bondar
4. Nina Khrushcheva
5. Lawrence Freedman
6. Sam Greene
7. Julia Ioffe
8. Janis Kluge

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