Rephonic
Artwork for Escalation
Ukraine
Russia
United States
Corruption
U.S. Response To Russian Aggression
Euromaidan
Crimea
Cold War
Soviet Union
Budapest Memorandum
NATO
January 6th Capitol Riot
Election Interference
Nuclear Weapons
Vladimir Putin
U.s.-Ukraine Relations
Election Fraud
Justice Department
Cultural Forces
Trump-Zelenskyy Phone Call

The War in Ukraine has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and left entire cities in ruins. It’s a human tragedy on an unimaginable scale. But beyond the death toll and destruction, the conflict represents something even larger: a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between democracy and authoritarianism, sovereignty and imperialism. Escalation is a gripping narrative podcast that delves deep ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes72Founded6 years ago
Category
News

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Artwork for Escalation

Latest Episodes

In the season finale of Escalation, Anastasiia Lapatina and Yulia Tymoshenko recount Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022. The western world is shocked, and US President Joe Biden and the US Congress attempt to send weapons to Uk... more

In this bonus episode of Escalation, hear our conversation with Professor John Mearsheimer. Mearsheimer is a historian and foreign policy expert at The University of Chicago, and he has some controversial opinions on the relationship between The Unit... more

In this bonus episode of 'Escalation,' we give you a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, featuring a conversation with our reporting and production team of Anastasiia Lapatina, Tyler McBrien, Benjamin Wittes and Max Johnston

Hosted on ... more

In this bonus episode of Escalation, you'll hear more music from the Ukrainian Cultural Forces. The Cultural Forces are a group of Ukrainian artists and veterans who travel the world as emissaries from the Ukrainian army. In September 2024, they were... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Yulia Tymoshenko
A well-known Ukrainian influencer who gained fame during the early days of the Russian invasion.
Episode: Escalation Ep 7: Boiling The Frog
John Mearsheimer
American political scientist and professor at the University of Chicago, known for his views on international relations and security.
University of Chicago
Episode: BONUS: Conversation with John Mearsheimer
Evelyn Farkas
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia in the Obama Administration
Obama Administration
Episode: BONUS: Conversation with Evelyn Farkas
Lutfiya Zudieva
A prominent Crimean Tatar activist currently in Crimea.
Episode: Escalation Ep 5: Resets
Mary Sarotte
Historian and NATO expert
Episode: BONUS: Conversation with Mary Sarotte
Olga Takaryuk
Ukrainian journalist and political activist, pivotal figure during the Orange Revolution
Episode: Escalation Ep 4: The Worst of Both Worlds
Miroslava Gangadze
Head of the Eastern Europe newsroom at Voice of America
Voice of America
Episode: Escalation Ep 3: Us vs. Them
Georgi Gangadze
Ukrainian journalist and founder of Ukrainska Pravda
Ukrainska Pravda
Episode: Escalation Ep 3: Us vs. Them
Leonid Kuchma
Former President of Ukraine
None
Episode: Escalation Ep 3: Us vs. Them

Hosts

Anastasia Lopatina
Co-host and reporter, contributing insights on the Ukraine conflict and its historical context.
Tyler McBrien
Co-host and reporter, focusing on U.S. foreign policy and perceptions regarding Ukraine.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.9k ratings
  • Ruined by the ads

    The frequency, style, and repetition of the ads was unbearable. Cutting from top tier journalism to a mock “interview” with an advertiser’s customer talking about how great they are. It’s jarring and undercuts the editorial credibility. Unless I can pay for adfree versions I’m not going to start any more Lawfair podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    StandingSeam
    United States7 months ago
  • Great job!

    Really enjoying this. It is informative and the format is engaging. The finale preview where you talk about making it was a great feature; more shows should do it. Please give us a Manafort bonus episode! Looking forward to the finale.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KJE_2020
    United States8 months ago
  • Escalation is excellent

    Having lived during this history in the US I thought I knew the story, but it is amazing to learn the other side.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rjxp216
    United States8 months ago
  • Great dive into J6

    I love the news clips and the host’s Frontline-esq voice. I’m looking forward to catching up on the other episodes/seasons.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sg is done
    United States8 months ago
  • Insane level of ads. Really detracts from what they're doing.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    jangnama
    8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The storytelling and access to expert guests enhance the learning experience.
Listeners appreciate the deep analysis and informative nature of the discussions.
Some listeners have suggested that the podcast's coverage is repetitive and could benefit from a broader range of perspectives.
The podcast has been described as crucial for understanding the human aspects of the conflict in Ukraine.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#211
Norway/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: Conversation with John Mearsheimer
Q: What value do you think the West and the American foreign policy establishment gained from Russians prior to the invasion?
Mearsheimer believes little benefit was gained, as Russia was weak after the fall of the Soviet Union and did not play a significant strategic role.
BONUS: Conversation with John Mearsheimer
Q: Why is it in your view that Ukraine's inclusion in NATO is so objectionable to the Russians?
Mearsheimer explains that NATO is viewed by Russia as a hostile alliance and moving it close to its borders is unacceptable.
BONUS: Conversation with Evelyn Farkas
Q: What does that pivot sort of amount to?
Evelyn discusses the changes in U.S. policy concerning lethal aid to Ukraine and the relief felt once assistance began flowing, while acknowledging it was seen as too little, too late by many observers.
BONUS: Conversation with Evelyn Farkas
Q: Could you just describe sort of your vantage on that and your impressions of watching it unfold?
Evelyn reflects on the significant civil society activism she observed during Euromaidan, emphasizing the determination of the Ukrainian people to demand political commitments.
BONUS: Conversation with Mary Sarotte
Q: Can you unpack that now?
Sure, let me add the caveat that I think the solution is unworthy of Ukraine.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Escalation

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

This gripping narrative podcast explores the intricate historical and political dynamics surrounding the War in Ukraine, focusing on its broader implications in the context of democracy versus authoritarianism. It provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship through extensive storytelling, covering decades of diplomatic efforts, political scandals, and pivotal events that have shaped the current conflict. Each episode presents a blend of personal narratives and expert analysis, making complex geopolitical issues accessible to a broad audience. With its mix of historical context and current developments, this series is timely and essential for anyone seeking to grasp the unfolding crisis and its sign... more

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How many listeners does Escalation get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Escalation has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Escalation?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Escalation:

1. The Lawfare Podcast
2. Rational Security
3. Talking Feds
4. The DSR Network
5. Main Justice

How many episodes of Escalation are there?

Escalation launched 6 years ago and published 72 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 Escalation?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Escalation?

Recent guests on Escalation include:

1. Yulia Tymoshenko
2. John Mearsheimer
3. Evelyn Farkas
4. Lutfiya Zudieva
5. Mary Sarotte
6. Olga Takaryuk
7. Miroslava Gangadze
8. Georgi Gangadze

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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