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

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 monthlyEpisodes148Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Russian Roulette

Latest Episodes

Max and Maria spoke with Sergey Radchenko about the state of affairs in peace negotiations over Ukraine as we come to the close of 2025. They discuss the different parties' goals and positions, and how this current round of negotiations compares to t... more

YouTube

Max speaks with Michael Kimmage about his immediate reactions to the new 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, and the rapid-fire diplomacy taking place in response to its release.

This conversation was recorded on November 24, 2025.

YouTube

Max and Maria spoke with Nikolay Petrov and Mikhail Troitskiy, two leading experts on the contemporary Russian elite, to discuss the current status of this ruling group inside Russia today, and why it finds itself increasingly under pressure from sta... more

YouTube

Max and Maria had a livestreamed conversation in the CSIS Brack Studio with Dara Massicot and Kateryna Bondar to discuss Russian and Ukrainian battlefield adaptations and technological innovations.

This conversation took place on November 5, 2025. A... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nikolay Petrov
Expert in Russian domestic politics, Senior Research Fellow at the New Eurasian Strategy Center
New Eurasian Strategy Center
Episode: The Increased Level of Repressions Within the Russian Elite
Mikhail Troitskiy
Visiting Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Episode: The Increased Level of Repressions Within the Russian Elite
Kateryna Bondar
Fellow at CSIS with the Wadwani AI Center, focused on integrating artificial intelligence into Ukraine's defense sector
CSIS
Episode: Russian and Ukrainian Battlefield Adaptations with Dara Massicot and Kateryna Bondar
Clayton Seigle
Senior Fellow and James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics with the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: The Impact of New Sanctions and Ukrainian Deep Strikes on the Russian Energy Industry with Clayton Seigle
Leah Kieff
Senior Associate Non-Resident Fellow with CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development; works for global consulting firm ICF
ICF
Episode: The 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections
Vlad Lupan
Adjunct professor at NYU; former Member of Parliament and Ambassador of Moldova to the UN
New York University
Episode: The 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections
Dr. Vasabjit Banerjee
Assistant professor in the political science department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, studying defense industrial policies and politics of South Asian states.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Episode: The Russia-India Relationship with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee
Tina Dolbaia
Associate fellow at the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, focusing on Russian foreign policy.
Center for Strategic International Studies
Episode: The Russia-India Relationship with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee
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

Hosts

Max Bergmann
Director of the Stuart Center and Europe-Russia Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic International Studies.
Dr. Maria Snegovaya
Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the Center for Strategic International Studies.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 293 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 States3 months ago
  • Great analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    >>l
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Anti putin anti trump

    Pro DC pro EU pro war

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    very funny and clever pod
    United Kingdom9 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 States10 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
    Belgium2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall positive feedback highlights the team's depth of knowledge and ability to connect intricate topics to broader narratives.
Engaging episodes that balance academic rigor with accessible commentary.
Some listeners note occasional issues with audio quality affecting engagement.
Informed and thoughtful discussions about relevant topics in Russian and Eurasian politics.
Hosts and guests bring significant expertise and insight into complex geopolitical issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#165
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#105
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#197
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#34
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#62
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sergey Radchenko on Ukraine Peace Negotiations
Q: How does the current political environment influence the potential for an agreement?
The current political pressures and attitudes in both Russia and the U.S. create a challenging environment for Ukraine to negotiate effectively and maintain its sovereignty.
The Increased Level of Repressions Within the Russian Elite
Q: Is there a purge taking place among the Russian elites?
Yes, systemic repressions against elites have been occurring, especially accelerated since the onset of the Ukraine war.
The Increased Level of Repressions Within the Russian Elite
Q: Do the Russian elites matter when it comes to the policy and decision-making of the Kremlin?
Yes, they are crucial in implementing policy but their input in actual decision-making is limited due to their control by the Kremlin.
Russian and Ukrainian Battlefield Adaptations with Dara Massicot and Kateryna Bondar
Q: To what extent that broader vision actually aligns with what we see on the ground?
They're obsessively focused on one particular area, and they try to make gains there while also terrorizing the Ukrainian population to diminish morale.
The 2025 Moldovan Parliamentary Elections
Q: What are the limits of pursuing liberal democratic procedures against foreign malign influence?
Moldova has not done this perfectly but has held free and fair elections despite foreign influence.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Russian Roulette

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

The content showcases intricate discussions surrounding contemporary geopolitical issues, particularly focusing on Russia's political dynamics and its relations with neighboring nations. Topics commonly explored include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the evolution of U.S.-Russia relations, and the political and military adaptations by both Russian and Ukrainian forces amidst the war. The episodes present in-depth analyses of significant events such as sanctions, peace negotiations, and shifts in political power across Eastern Europe. Unique insights from various distinguished guests contribute to a multi-faceted perspective of the region, making it a rich resource for those interested in foreign affairs, security, and international relati... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Russian Roulette:

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

How many episodes of Russian Roulette are there?

Russian Roulette launched 10 years ago and published 148 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. Nikolay Petrov
2. Mikhail Troitskiy
3. Kateryna Bondar
4. Clayton Seigle
5. Leah Kieff
6. Vlad Lupan
7. Dr. Vasabjit Banerjee
8. Tina Dolbaia

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