Putin and the People | The Foreign Affairs Interview

Foreign Affairs invites you to listen to its podcast, the Foreign Affairs Interview. This episode with Maria Lipman was originally published on April 6, 2023.
Even for an autocrat like Russian President Vladimir Putin, waging war depends on the acceptance-if not the support-of his people. Despite the disastrous start to his invasion of Ukraine, and with Moscow facing battlefield losses and mounting casualties, Russian approval of the war remains remarkably high.
Maria Lipman, a Russian journalist and political scientist who fled her country when the war began, explains why Russian support for the war remains so strong-and what Putin is doing to keep it that way. He “has used the war to clamp down on Russian society, to pull elites even closer to him, and to shore up his domestic position,” Lipman writes in a January essay with Michael Kimmage.
We discuss the strength of Putin’s regime, how the war in Ukraine has shaped Putin’s relationship with the Russian people, and what outcomes of the war the Russian public would possibly accept.
SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE
“Wartime Putinism” by Michael Kimmage and Maria Lipman
www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-...
“What Mobilization Means for Russia” by Michael Kimmage and Maria Lipman
www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-...

[@ultimaratio7373]

The analysis and background provided in this interview is certainly one better ones. Ms Lipman has a deeper understanding of Russia (as a native) that many Western analysts lack, and is able to summarize a complex topic clearly and thoughtfully.

[@teashea1]

So well done - excellent question and brilliant, insiteful answers. Also nice production values.

[@robertfarish2399]

Super interview! I think if I try to summarize the hundreds of talks I had with Russians the overwhelming impression I got was of a deep rooted cynicism. A cynicism which led you to doubt that anyone did anything with good intentions unless it benefited them personally. The same judgements were made about the West in general - that it’s representatives or it’s collective behavior were completely self serving. This gives me a small hope that this suspicion of the West is likely to be deep seated only among people of Putin’s generation.

[@KapitainZino]

Great Interview! For me the best one so far describing the changes and giving invaluable insight of the russian society and Putin‘s Kreml in modern Russia. Hundreds of talk shows couldn’t get so far! Thank you!

[@inkipinki8468]

America is big with lots of people and it’s a democracy.

[@brucevilla]

Thanks for Uploading.

[@0guiteo]

I remember so many similarities with the US during the VN war. It had broad support until the bodies started coming back - and more importantly, the news media told the truth (which can't happen in Russia). I'm follow this debacle with interest, and appreciate Ms. Lipman's perspective. I hope she is welcomed back into a freer Russia after Putin is gone.

[@chrisfreebairn870]

Brilliant.. so good to get such insights from an insider in such concise & cogent form; this is the best analysis I've heard of events inside Russia.

[@mathieu8641]

Thank you for this interview. Informing

[@AlirezaKarfarma-gd4hu]

❤

[@jim2376]

Senator John McCain: "I look into Putin's eyes and I see a KGB agent." There ya go.

[@TinLeadHammer]

A broken clock is correct twice a day.

[@jim2376]

As Simon Montefiore observed in his bestselling book, "The Romanovs", there was a time when 93% of Russians were serfs, essentially slaves. That social fact developed a Russian mentality. "Nobility would be defined by the privilege of owning other human beings, setting a Russian pattern of behavior: servility to those above, tyranny to those below." Montefiore, "The Romanovs", Vintage Books, 2016, page 48. The serf mentality still exists in Putin's Stalinistic dictatorship.

[@TinLeadHammer]

"Special military operation is done by the military, not the Russians. People think of the war as of something distant, they lose interest in the war" - just like the Americans with Iraq war. Putin wanted to replicate the American approach, but the mobilization definetely threw a wrench into the cogs. Otherwise, it is the same " Support our troops!" mantra.

[@thomas.a.lassen]

Mearsheimer has a new book out. Why not have him on the show?

[@qingzhou9983]

She is very truthful, but typical elite view. Democracy can't hold Russia together because it is so inefficient. This was evident to everyone in Russia. Russian is a proud race, albeit in a tough situation due to its very cold weather. To achieve its honor and noble goal, it has to mobilize all its society, meaning dictatorship.

[@ldhorricks]

I dont think I have read such nonsense...firstly how is her view elite?. Which is inefficient Democracy or Russia...what an erroneous statement without any substance. Russian isn't a "race"....and what does weather have to do with anything. What honor and noble goal are you talking about?...honestly I have no idea what you are talking about.

[@ladidianna]

Russian Federation has not successfully implemented any democratic institutions post soviet union. The rest of your statement is inedible soup.