Ukraine And Russia: A Tale Of Two Armies, With Mark Hertling

Did Assad's ouster from Syria reveal the weakness of Putin and Russia? How will Putin react to the humiliation - and are Russians growing weary of him yet? Is the Trump-Putin strategic bromance on the rocks? Julia Davis, creator of Russian Media Monitor, joined Rick, Joe, and Stuart for a fascinating discussion of all that and much more. Catch up now!

In this episode of “The Elephant in the Room,” Rick Wilson discusses the recent media portrayal of Joe Biden as frail and incapable, contrasting it with Biden’s strong performance at the NATO summit press conference. Rick emphasizes the divergence between media expectations and reality, highlighting Biden’s command over foreign and domestic policies. He also delves into the relentless efforts of the Lincoln Project to combat Donald Trump’s influence and potential return to power. The episode critiques the media’s role in shaping public perception and underscores the ongoing political battle against Trump

Understanding the new world order is a moving target. In this episode Rick engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group. Bremmer, a prominent political scientist and author, delves into the complexities of the shifting global power dynamics and the rise of a multipolar world. The discussion touches on the implications of Russia's aggression, China's economic ascent, and the transformative power of technology, particularly AI, on international relations and democracy. Bremmer also provides insights on the challenges facing Western democracies and offers valuable advice to the younger generation on navigating this evolving geopolitical landscape.

Trump doesn't hide his admiration for Putin and it's transformed the MAGA GOP's alliance with pro-democracy nations. Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and Lisa Senecal dive into the damage that realignment is doing in real time in the US and Ukraine - and the threat it poses for other European nations. They pull back the curtain on Putin's facade of military dominance and the many proof points of his weakness from silencing dissent to his strategist military ineptitude.

Despite baseless accusations of espionage and foreign influence, Kyle Parker, a dedicated civil servant involved in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, remains steadfast in his support. As Sarah Ashton-Cirillo highlights, those who sacrifice and contribute to Ukraine's cause often face scrutiny, yet their heroic actions cannot be overshadowed by the J.D Vances of the world.