The Putin Files: Evelyn Farkas

Watch former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Evelyn Farkas’s candid, full interview on Putin and allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election - all part of "The Putin Files", FRONTLINE's media transparency project. Explore Farkas full interview and interactive transcript here:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/in...
Explore the entire "Putin File" experience here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/int...

[@widdomonki238]

rewatching these interviews in the context of the last several years and now the past month has been eye opening.

[@insomn3ak]

My god these are so good. The upload date says 4 years ago, but I feel like they could have been uploaded yesterday with how relevant they still are.

[@bradguzman5525]

Exactly what I was thinking. I cannot believe that they knew he was headed in this direction and didn’t take more drastic measures. All these people keep saying he’s dangerous and he has a mission. What really hit home for me was when she said not since World War II has anybody altered state lines. That is a huge red flag our government should’ve been more concerned with than they were. I would love to ask them why they just don’t get a hit man and take him out. No one would know which country did it. We could play the denial game like Putin does all the time. It would save us millions of dollars at the cost of only one bullet. And thousands of lives.! I hope This is in progress now. And it also needs to be done in North Korea. These nut jobs need to go

[@-Deena.]

Incredibly impressive interview. Please listen to her.

[@JaySmurkzTV]

!!

[@EpicHashTime]

I can't believe the interviewer actually told a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia that watching Putin was above her pay grade.

[@czhaok]

She seemed erratic and shifty, she clearly lied numerous times through the interview and didn't appear credible.

[@TampaDave]

Notice how many trolls are here, not understanding that if we wanted to hear what they are saying, we could get it directly from Russia Today.

[@TampaDave]

It would be the same jingoistic lines, but without the spelling and grammatical and word-use errors.

[@markofsaltburn]

The troll chatter increases as you get closer you get to the truth - they’re very useful.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

OR fox news - same thing

[@kathycaldwell7126]

Bravo, TampaDaves. Well said.

[@szboid]

So clear and coherent. Thank you.

[@malroy59]

I didn't know that lies and hypocrisy can please

[@DCUPtoejuice]

If you watched this and have not figured out why Putin did nothing between 2016-2020, I cannot help you.

[@frusia123]

What worries me is that there's a part of the society that's not watching this. They're busy ingesting Facebook memes and building their world view on that basis. The rampant misinformation on social media has to be addressed effectively, otherwise, in the name of absolute freedom of speech, we'll all end up in an authoritarian world with no free speech whatsoever. "They're using our democracy against us"

[@pjpredhomme7699]

hahaha what is hilarious is you might actually think you can help someone - I'm sure you are not capable - never mind that you would not help anyone that does not benefit you . did nothing - between 2016-2020 = he was busy as hell - do you have any idea what an accomplishment it was having elected a president ? all the shit they needed to cash in on while the "wrecking ball " was there = he was busy as hell . and dont forget - he met with Trump in Helsinki - in 2018 where he tossed that putin salad - im sure he enjoyed that- he definitely enjoyed watching him make a fool out of himself - it looked like an organ grinder and a monkey

[@birdsndog5932]

Didn’t need to. Donald did it for him.

[@chrisg.9537]

Thank you Obama and Biden for not stopping Putin from doing anything

[@clydecessna737]

She's first class.

[@chrisg.9537]

She literally testified her expertise is minimal and only based in media reports

[@gracerodgers8952]

Eloquent, beautiful and informative interview. Great job, Evelyn and Frontline.💯

[@pjpesic4064]

Good interview series with yet another competent and informed insider. FACT CHECK: Assistant Dep. Sec. Of Defense must know that Russian invasion of Ukraine is NOT the first time after WWII that a sovereign European country is being forced to give up a portion of it's territory by means of a superior military force! Ironically, it was Hungary's southern neighbor SERBIA - only US led NATO was doing the bombing to carve out an "independent" Kosovo - which is the historical spiritual heartland of Serbia. Unlike Ukraine, whose present borders drawn by Komunists are sacrosanct, Serbia's - which were drawn in 1918 at Versailles - are not?! It was in this series of PBS interviews that Masha Gessen explains how this very precedent is now used as a playbook for takeover of Crimea and Donbass.

[@stephenmellentine]

“Veneer of deniability”. Great summation!

[@ad220588]

She s brilliant

[@lesilluminations1]

This has been an education.

[@Torrenaxe]

Love the series thank you, makes the world a better place but mister interviewer if I may. Your style is too demanding, a bit rude and the "above your pay grade" comment was sexist. She reacted with grace. Continue.

[@czhaok]

Sexist? Can you point to where he mentioned her gender in that comment? He asked if it was above her pay grade because decisions on Putin WERE above her pay grade. She was an advisor, she advised those whose pay grade it was to take decisions, on the recommendations she, in her opinion thinks they should take.

[@chitzkoi]

This series is great, and the flies stuck to this comments section are irrelevant. Although this isn't the best of the interviews, 8:10 is a great insight.

[@ronpilchowski9898]

So, now we find out she is a LIER, TRUMP WINS AGAIN!!!!

[@TampaDave]

Trump is about to keep winning, but this time by getting sentenced to one of our best prisons,.

[@rafaelsantana2834]

Evelyn, great job.

[@partenb]

Your interview sheds detail & insight about our foreign policy in Eastern Europe. Good to know that competent folks like yourself are aware of the same old Russian playbook.

[@thebuzzard8044]

When the interviewer digs a bit deeper you can sense the hesitation in Fakas' voice. I get the impression she is a slick communicator....and knows of second hand information.

[@drtn6206]

At 12:15 "remember this when putin lies to us the next time". Oh boy is she right

[@thomasw.5344]

"it took some time before we got to 'they're actually an adversary'" still true

[@terencewinters2154]

The bear invaded your campsite because you didnt lock your food in a cooler and rope it up to a high branch.

[@terencewinters2154]

Hedgehog weapons . What is the best mix of offense and defense.

[@kashmirha]

1:10 It was an example of maskirovka, intended deception. The intent was fuzzy to hide the real intent.

[@ramnivdc7051]

When you're asked by Rep. Trey Gowdy, you've said you have no information but on your TV interview you have. I'm confused!!!

[@Exchiefboy]

it's simple, she's a professional liar, just like most of Obama administration.

[@lordm.n.8186]

@@Exchiefboy I agree

[@Asptuber]

This is a somewhat stupid discussion, and I've not dug deeply into this weird American mess (2016 election and the resulting TRS of the msm). That said, the likely answer to your question is quite simple: You can have no *specific* information about whatever the current thing is, and AT THE SAME TIME have information/knowledge that allows you to have an above average well founded assessment/opinion about scenarios and rumour presented to you by a journalist. We do this all the time in other spheres of life. A doctor or a mechanic might not have specific knowledge about a person or a vehicle, but does have knowledge about human health or how various types of cars work. The more specific a scenario that you present to a doctor or a mechanic is, the more specific answer you will get. That answer could still be totally wrong, because the scenario presented to the expert might lack some crucial detail. (In this case I think we are even dealing with a situation where you have not a GP but a neurologist specialised in brain trauma being asked about a patient by someone not very apt at describing medical status and wedded to the idea that "the bump on the head caused the vision loss". So the diabetes or the age of the patient never gets mentioned.)

[@jaixzz]

Good idea might have been to Take off the blinkers

[@TampaDave]

3:58 Are you sure you don't mean 2007, not 2006?

[@elsashabani5990]

I wonder how this lady feels now...

[@DCUPtoejuice]

She is still confused today I am sure

[@trajancanada]

Vindicated.

[@Pattys1967]

I don't think they learned anything

[@katewoolf6059]

We are too naive ffs

[@Kelkschiz]

Been watching quite a lot of these, generally very good, but suprisingly nothing about MH17 so far...

[@TampaDave]

I'll try to remember which guest spoke about it.... there was a good bit of discussion.

[@birdsndog5932]

Reassuring to know that people like this are working behind the scenes. “At war with us?” Y e s . Pay attention. Doesn’t need to be kinetic to be offensive.

[@terencewinters2154]

Why ? Because dod was being told the carrot was being extended by commerce and state was offering democratization help.

[@williamhatzidis9240]

The ease of this retelling and offhand nature to moments of self-reflection are unsuited to its content.

[@danielbright2916]

I almost wish some of the issues that matter a bit more to me were featured: Brexit!

[@rafaelsantana2834]

How the russian army looking now, after Ukraine war not very good.

[@victorashkenazy6961]

What was created first? Invasion of Crimea or those labs in Ukraine (if true)?

[@grzegorzach3891]

Invasion of Crimea - 20-26.02.2014 Up to 22.02.2014 the president of Ukraine was Victor Yanukhovich - loyal servant of Vladimir Putin. I have no Idea what "labs" have been build but after Yanukhovich fled to Russia none have been found.

[@katewoolf6059]

Can't watch full interview. Naivete too strong

[@terencewinters2154]

No insignia very false flaggish like the nazis in poland or Czechoslovakia.

[@kurtgrotz]

Trolls everywhere

[@lamprecchtm]

Typical US - Bullshit...

[@markofsaltburn]

The more heavily trolled a video, the more I know it’s worth watching - they’re like runway lights.

[@johoward2251]

10:30

[@katherinewolcott1096]

she's one of the few within this series who seems sincere; which is even more frightening. Those who are manipulating the information our own analysts use. Tracing everything back to the original source instead of accepting information as presented would stop this from ever becoming so horrifying again. A computerized file is not a valid source unless each analyst is allowed to and takes responsibility to trace it's origins and any/all manipulations along the way: garbage in/garbage out.

[@HavingAnAverageWeeke]

Agreed, "So they were blurring the lines left, right and center, and they knew that it was hard for us in the West to counter, because number one, we counter with the truth." One of the reasons western propaganda is refined and much more believable, a lot of the people responsible for spreading it actually believe it themselves.

[@maksymbuz9056]

she is brilliant!

[@johnstitt3717]

She's a disgraceful liar and you are clearly under intelligent.

[@maksymbuz9056]

@@johnstitt3717 go fuck yourself, you moron

[@terencewinters2154]

Mutual M.I.C. need each other.

[@nematube]

Wait, Carrie? Is that you, Carrie Mathison???

[@Pattys1967]

And h we rev we e are today.this I as bone chilling

[@czhaok]

This interview was a mess. It sounded like she was giving her credentials to get a job.

[@Filmfist]

Butthurt alert

[@-Thunder]

What was Evelyn Farkas doing on a Burisma oil rig? Who WASN'T cashing in on Ukraine? That's the real question.

[@cookmeadrinkshow4814]

WE WILL FIND OUT SOON , DONT LET SOCIALIST DEM WIN 2020 !!! AMERICA WE CROSS FINGERS FOR YOU !!!

[@VanceJoudrey]

I think we outspend Russia at least 10 times on military. The party that is being outspent by an order of magnitude is the one that should feel threatened.

[@truthnumb972]

Common sense lol

[@terencewinters2154]

Hypersonic aircraft . You say peace they say war . They say peace you say war. East is east and west is west and never the Twain shall meet- except if war becomes diplomacy by other means.

[@mysticlawlotus]

One day Russia will be part of Europe! Same people, same land mass, one day their youth will grow up after tasting Freedom in the air! Putin can fart all he wants, one day his gut will rot and he'll die screaming!

[@terencewinters2154]

@@mysticlawlotus OH geographically it is PART of Europe but also geographically; values wise it is Eurasian . 1/7th of worlds land mass it needs Ukraine ? Which independent values it does not recognize. Ukraine is not conflicted about its European freedom loving independent values. The Russians will have to speak for themselves as it resists integration of those values and oppresses Ukraine. Stop wishing for a Pygmalion transformation of its dominant autocratic totalitarian centralized authoritarian bureaucratic values structure . If that is to be it must be a conscious willing internal decision making process of its people and elites to listen to its masses who are generationally challenged by the glorification of its historical values. For it to be free it must take corrective measures in a non dictatorial vein. Introspection . Hearts were never won in a zero sum game. Coercion does not win it friends as the Ukrainians are showing them with their robust defense.

[@mysticlawlotus]

@@terencewinters2154 I dont wear "Pygmalion spectacles" I wear the spectacles of first "Human NaturE" AND SECONDLY "HISTORY". The only permanant quality of the world and indeed existance is CHANGE. BUT the more that things change the more they stay the same. Russians dont seek to be ruled by despots, despots have sought to rule Russians. Eurasian Culture is just culture, the desire for freedom, security and peace is a fundamental, inherent, human quality. Problem is that when perverted it turns into greed, anger and wilful but also enforced ignorance. Everything else I agree with you on though it feels as though you are trying to refutse everything I said although it would seem we agree on much. Problem with Russia is a similar but lesser problem that the West has. Their most altruistic and best people end up with a bullet in the head or worse. America was founded on a rock with a structure that is adaptable to the winds of the world and as yet has not been corrupted and weakened to the point of destruction. Russia/ Eurasia has not as yet been able to nurture a similar seed of freedom and democracy. BTW IMHO it takes 2 or more to play a zero sum game, in fact any game. Everyone needs to stop playing games and instead look for that sprouting seedling then be gentle and nurturing with it.

[@terencewinters2154]

@@mysticlawlotus we agree on much maybe also Tolstoy as Russias national conscience who led by example. Not trying hard to refute you maybe some refining . Every generation has the same problem . " There's only battle and it's against IGNORANCE and we fight it over and over again " . Looking for that modern Tolstoy rather than say a recapitulation of dense brutality maybe the retired chess player comes close. 😉

[@elhatarolodohod2040]

If you are Hungarian-American you probably know what the Treaty of Versailles meant for Hungary. The Office of the Hungarian Cultural Association in Ungvar did not blow up by itself in 2018. Orban spoke up for the Hungarian minorities just like he did before Putin even got into power. And btw, speaking up for the right of minorities? I thought that is the right thing to do. Many people in Hungary with the last name "Farkas" would agree with that.

[@SandyRell]

Evelyn Farkas knows much in this interview about things she knows nothing about under oath...

[@transom2]

What ??

[@SandyRell]

@@transom2 May 11 2020 Farkas, a former deputy assistant Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama who worked on policy with Russia and Ukraine, admitted in newly revealed testimony to a Congressional committee that she wasn't privy to have classified information whether Trump administration officials colluded with Russia.

[@transom2]

It's unclear what that may mean. But do you think this technical matter suggests trump & company were not assisted by the Russians? What is ur larger point?

[@SandyRell]

@@transom2 Farkas was a frequent quest on MSNBC saying she was aware of evidence supporting the Trump Russia collusion narrative - then testified under oath before Congress that she didn't have access to any info regrading Trump Russia collusion - so Farkas has much info + opinions but ZERO Credibility On Any Matter = persona non grata...

[@gammaman6988]

Evelyn’s father was renowned bra salesman Sid Farkas.

[@AlexandrH]

So she wants to send a weapon to Ukraine.. I don’t think that it will help.

[@grzegorzach3891]

Knock-knock. It helped.

[@catsupchutney]

Evelyn is 1000 times more charming than Hillary, and probably as sharp.

[@catsupchutney]

@William Sheppard Go go QAnon!

[@transom2]

Obviously

[@Filmfist]

Der emails derrrr! 🤡

[@chasmurphy1227]

The Putin Files? was this really a real thing? lmao

[@feels6233]

Is ur profile a real thing? 😂

[@TampaDave]

Really, who thinks that could have been intended as an addition to our forum! Trolls are so clueless! Who else pollutes the comments section of videos they don't care to (or ever do) watch?

[@germibestia]

just a very tiny one sided opinion, from those who have done everything possible to make this war possible.

[@ramnivdc7051]

More Declassification, you are in deeper hole about your lies

[@tommycapps9903]

Mitt Romney told Obama, but all of you libs poo pooed it!

[@rodh4272]

This is embarrassing that front line would even air this garbage

[@ConservativeAnthem]

Hahahaha!!!

[@thuglifesociety3416]

Thanks 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 for the propaganda America.

[@svenhorsestrom271]

LIAR

[@ollykcsisko5431]

WEREN'T YOU ON CNN talking about the SURVEILLANCE/WIRE TAP ON TRUMP IN TRUMP TOWER??!!

[@TipsiFred]

Why would Russia want to secure the Black Sea?

[@iceberg4479]

look at a map !

[@kevkeary4700]

I thought that Russia invaded Georgia because the Georgians were lobbing missiles at its own citizens who are ethic Russians in the north of Georgia, called south Ossetia. The Georgians started the attack on the eve of the Chinese Olympics.

[@ronpilchowski9898]

Lies, lies, lies

[@h.debeau7995]

It is scary we had people like her in national security.

[@cafeneckbeard]

Compared to what we have now? Ha.

[@iceberg4479]

do you work for the internet research agency ?

[@vasylbilatchuk]

2020 Was rigged

[@cencension]

27:43

[@beckweth]

When Uranium One gets prosecuted maybe Farkas will wake up.

[@blasater]

Utter propaganda piece...so transparent

[@jalusbrian]

Sounds More like Americad revenge !

[@billfuentes4791]

WHAT A BIMBO!

[@thuglifesociety3416]

Thanks 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 for the propaganda America.