Rephonic
Artwork for Russian Roulette
Russia
Ukraine
Global South
Middle East
Arms Sales
CSIS
Alexei Navalny
Israel
Iran
Azerbaijan
Africa
Wagner Group
Armenia
Saudi Arabia
Havana Syndrome
Kremlin
GRU (main Intelligence Directorate Of the Russian Armed Forces)
Colonialism
Hamas
BRICS

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 Tina Dolbaia and Nick Fenton.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes142Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

Max sat down with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee to talk about their new CSIS paper, "Guns and Oil: Continuity and Change in Russia-India Relations." They delve into the history of the Russia-India relationship, how it's been impacted by the full... more

YouTube

Max and Maria spoke with Stanford professor and former ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul to talk about his latest book, and where things stand today in U.S.-Russia relations.

Pre-order Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New ... more

YouTube

Max had wide-ranging conversation with Jade McGlynn while she was traveling in Ukraine. Topics covered include the Ukrainian war effort, the situation behind the lines in the Russian-occupied territories, and the recent protests in Ukraine against pe... more

YouTube

Max and Maria give their takes on the recent efforts to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. They analyze the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, and then the meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders at the Whi... more

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Recent Guests

Michael McFaul
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Professor of Political Science at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: Michael McFaul on Trump, Putin, and Autocrats vs. Democrats
Jade McGlynn
Research fellow at the Department of War Studies at King's College London and non-resident senior associate at CSIS
King's College London, CSIS
Episode: Jade McGlynn with an Update from Ukraine
Harley Balzer
Professor emeritus of government and national affairs at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Has Putinism Failed? A Conversation with Harley Balzer and Sergei Guriev
Sergei Guriev
Dean and tenured professor of economics at the London Business School
London Business School
Episode: Has Putinism Failed? A Conversation with Harley Balzer and Sergei Guriev
Richard Giragosian
Founding director of the Regional Study Center, RSC, an independent think tank in Yerevan, Armenia
Regional Study Center (RSC)
Episode: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Geopolitics in the South Caucasus
Jeff Mankoff
Distinguished research fellow at the National Defense University's Institute for National Strategic Studies
National Defense University
Episode: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Geopolitics in the South Caucasus
Vladislav Inozemtsev
Expert at the Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe and Director of the Center for Post-Industrial Studies in Moscow
Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe
Episode: Bonus Episode: The Russian Wartime Economy (Live Event Recording)
Elina Ribakova
Non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Bruegel
Keeve School of Economics
Episode: The Ukrainian Economy Today with Elina Ribakova
Edward Fishman
Former colleague from the State Department Policy Planning Office and author
Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
Episode: Chokepoints and Economic Warfare with Edward Fishman

Hosts

Max Bergmann
Director of the Stuart Center and Europe-Russia Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), with a focus on policy analysis and geopolitical trends in Russia and Eurasia.
Dr. Maria Snegovaya
Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at CSIS, specializing in the geopolitics of Russia and its relations with the West.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 281 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 States20 days ago
  • Great analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    >>l
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Anti putin anti trump

    Pro DC pro EU pro war

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    very funny and clever pod
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Great wisdom

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    QE Infinity
    United States7 months 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
    Belgiuma year ago

Listeners Say

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

While many find the podcast essential for understanding Russia, some express concerns about audio quality and presentation styles.
The hosts are described as knowledgeable, bringing valuable perspectives to complex topics.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth analysis and insightful discussions on pressing geopolitical issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#161
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#75
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#128
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#148
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#152
Poland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael McFaul on Trump, Putin, and Autocrats vs. Democrats
Q: Do you still believe that the Obama-era reset policy was the correct course?
McFaul reflects critically on the reset, acknowledging it aimed for engagement but lacked a hedge strategy for failure.
Michael McFaul on Trump, Putin, and Autocrats vs. Democrats
Q: How do you understand the Trump 2.0 approach to Russia?
McFaul critiques Trump's reliance on inducements and concessions toward Putin, arguing it hasn't worked and a coercive strategy is needed.
Has Putinism Failed? A Conversation with Harley Balzer and Sergei Guriev
Q: What are the key characteristics of Putin's economic model?
Sergei describes Putinomics as a tool for maintaining control, emphasizing that while it supports macroeconomic stability, it ultimately undermines independent economic actors and leads to stagnation.
Has Putinism Failed? A Conversation with Harley Balzer and Sergei Guriev
Q: What prompted you to write on the topic of post-Soviet identity formation?
Maria discusses the origins of Putin's ability to hold on to power, highlighting that the collapse of the Soviet Union left a void in collective identity among Russian citizens, which Putin filled with a narrative of a resurgent Russia.
Max and Michael Kimmage Catch Up on All Things Russia and Ukraine
Q: What do you think about morale shifting in wars?
The morale in Russia is crucial; they have propaganda suggesting Ukraine will fold, but the high casualty rate indicates a terrible situation for Russians.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Roulette

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

A prominent platform for discussing the intricacies of Russia and Eurasia, featuring in-depth discussions on political, historical, and societal dynamics in the region. The content includes insightful interviews and analyses of significant geopolitical events, especially surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's subsequent global implications. The focus is on expert commentary and informed perspectives that often connect historical context to present-day challenges, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of these evolving societies.

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How many listeners does Russian Roulette get?

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How many subscribers and views does Russian Roulette have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Russian Roulette?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Russian Roulette:

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

How many episodes of Russian Roulette are there?

Russian Roulette launched 9 years ago and published 142 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Russian Roulette?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Russian Roulette?

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What guests have appeared on Russian Roulette?

Recent guests on Russian Roulette include:

1. Michael McFaul
2. Jade McGlynn
3. Harley Balzer
4. Sergei Guriev
5. Richard Giragosian
6. Jeff Mankoff
7. Vladislav Inozemtsev
8. Elina Ribakova

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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