The Putin Files: Strobe Talbott

Watch former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott'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 Talbot's full interview and interactive transcript here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/in...
Explore the complete "Putin File" experience here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/int...

[@buckluster]

It's amazing to have these long, in depth, virtually unedited interviews. Truly enlightening...and there's a lot to be gleaned from watching someone listen to questions!

[@Bossjaffrey]

I’m in awe of these interviews. Extra strong delivery PBS. 🙌

[@groopmmex]

Great to have Frontline presenting 20 plus hours on this subject, very informative. Well done, thank you!

[@bronwyndoyle5430]

The Putin Files. Brilliant. Thank you for documenting this information. Sorry the late great Boris Nemtsov could not have contributed.

[@nicolaiandersen7617]

chilling to hear this interview today.

[@paulbell9561]

This is a very interesting series. It is especially interesting to hear the opinions of those people who actually were in the “front” lines of the events leading up to 2016 elections in the US - politicians, government officials, top ranking intelligence officers. In my humble opinion, however, it is somewhat naïve to believe that all disasters start with Mr Putin and all disasters will end once he is gone. I think the very appearance and rise of Putin to power would have never taken place if there was no “need” for Mr Putin. In other words by the time he took reins of power in the end of 20th century the situation within Russia that could be characterized as “grab as much as you can and make money as quickly as you can” (or in other words Wild West type of economy), that situation grew into a different type of situation. The entire class of new Russian “aristocracy” was formed and to a large extent the spheres of influence in the economy or the way money is divided between the major players has been determined. To pursue their goal of controlling their shares of the “pie” and enriching themselves both by means of exploiting natural resources and securing lucrative government contracts this group of players needed an apparatus that could provide them with means and tools to implement their schemes in the most efficient manner. In other words they needed apparatus which could serve unfailingly to their interests, overriding whenever necessary all other considerations in terms of constitutional norms, healthy judicial practice and if necessary even common sense if common sense was against some immediate gains. That’s where Putin stepped in so confidently with his background and connections of KGB officer and uncanny ability to make deals quickly and in the manner most appeasing to those who stand to benefit from those deals. However to attribute to him alone all the deviousness of current political regime in Russia, in my view, would have been too flattering both to his mental abilities and his leadership skills. In a similar manner it would be too naïve to put all the blame for horrors of Stalin’s repressions on Stalin himself. Stalin would have never been able to carry on with his repressions on such a scale if not for the willingness of thousands, tens of thousands of those who carried out his orders and implemented his policies with vigour and enthusiasm of those who derived if not a pleasure then surely some satisfaction from being able to change reality around them so quickly and so decisively. I’m afraid there is whole new class of people in Russia whose very perception of such an idea as “public servant” is very different as compared to the one accepted, let’s say, in Western Europe, in Germany or in Denmark. They perceive their status as status of someone who can avail himself/herself of certain measure of power to pursue a primary goal of securing for themselves certain financial security and whenever possible to enrich themselves using privileges of their positions. As a major tribute to this opportunity to lift themselves above the ordinary they give an unofficial vow to stand to orders from “above” whatever those orders may be. In other words it is a rather archaic perception of a local deputy to those in power rather than someone who has been chosen and hired by general public to act as their manager in the interests of the public. I’m afraid this type of attitude which clearly is reminiscent of the old days of Tzar’s Russia is still prevalent in modern day perceptions of the majority of ordinary Russians or it is accepted with acquiescence on their part as something that is simply unavoidable. I’m afraid it will take the time of an entire generation or maybe even two generations and comprehensive training aimed at education of a whole new cohort of young professionals to change this very attitude and to reverse the current of political thinking. I think it would be rather naïve to think that the world can expect some significant changes in terms of Russian domestic and foreign policies if Putin doesn’t win the upcoming elections or if some powerful group stages “a coup d’etat” to impress the world and to trick the world into thinking that “now it’s going to be all different”. There was an article on Yahoo front web page about elderly woman in Britain who despite her age and her poor health, tried to block caravan owners from entering reservation area and suffered verbal abuse and brute force on the part of the offender. The offender was charged with misconduct, fined and sentenced to hours of public works. This, in my view, the way real democracy and real judicial system should work. Not downward from above all the time, but mostly upward from below. I’m afraid in modern Russia plain activists like that British woman are habitually pushed aside to the fringes of life without mercy and without much consideration. They are pushed aside not by just some passing bullies. They are pushed aside by the system itself. The system which consists of thousands, tens of thousands of Putin’s deputies with their very peculiar perception of what it means to be a public servant. In all their honesty this army of deputies don’t really care whose name is on their banner, Putin’s or someone else’s. All they care about is the world around them which they can control and manipulate for mutual benefit to themselves and to those who are higher on the ladder. It’s easy to see how the West would be appeased with surrender in terms of Ukrainian territories in exchange for lifting up the sanctions. It wouldn’t eliminate the problem in the long run though. It is easy to see that as usual the interests of new Russian aristocracy lies with money they’ve made and accumulated in the last 25 years. The existing bureaucratic apparatus reinforced with intelligence agencies, police force and newly formed National Guard is a convenient tool to keep the vast territory called Russian Federation under control and exploit it pretty much in the same manner feudal lords of the past exploited their lands populated by their serfs. It is highly unlikely that current political elite would dispose of this tool eagerly. The idea of “Russian World” used by Putin as major ideological premise of his foreign policies since his speech in Munich in 2007 could be abandoned should the elite surrounding him decide that perhaps his narrative and his agenda have been a “little bit” too “irritating” to the West. But then once again there could be some other agenda. Big money always finds its way to negotiating table. It is responsibility of the West therefore whether they will be discerning enough to see the line between their own material interests and subtle encroachment on the very principles of Western democracy. Hopefully they won’t be as late as they were in giving due attention and appraisal to the events in the summer 2016.

[@PinchHarmonic69]

Great writing. What about if they decide to team up with China to try to “split the pie” instead of working within the wests framework

[@markofsaltburn]

@@PinchHarmonic69 The Chinese have been experimenting with nation-building for 4,000 years. They’re pragmatic enough to know that the west is always a better bet because, for all of its volatility and hypocrisy, it innovates, whereas Russia is condemned to operate in a perpetual state of corruption, resentment and stagnation until it changes. With Russia, there’d very quickly be no pie to split.

[@markofsaltburn]

Kleptocrats eventually run out of things to steal.

[@michaelbarbarich3965]

@@PinchHarmonic69 they're both facing collapsing demographics, and now Russia's vaunted military has been revealed to be a starved paper tiger. As long as the USA doesn't shoot itself in the foot, that won't happen.

[@user-fm4rx7on6b]

Другими словами,не лезте к России со своими правилами.Мы без вас справимся.Или справятся наши Ядерные ракеты!! Ваш выбор.

[@OemmaGeom]

Interesting, penetrating perspective. Thank you for all these interviews, Frontline!

[@tombarker2369]

Interesting--Mr. Talbott states that Putin has/had a law degree, yet when they interview Yevgenia Albats, she states that Putin does not have a law degree and she goes on to explain what it means for Putin to have a law degree.

[@mikelynch7271]

Not all that interesting; Talbott is mistaken & Ms. Albats is correct . She knows the inner workings of Russian University’s & knows much more about the Personal Life of Vlad

[@OemmaGeom]

Methinks, "law degree" means "education background in law".

[@Ihatepotatos123ski]

This is why i LOVE PBS. High quality documentaries, well worth every tax dollar

[@davidsawyer1599]

It struck me while reviewing these interviews. Are the folks compensated? The answer is no. No one interviewed is paid. This is the shortest interview at roughly 36 minutes. Some of the interviews are over 2 hours. This is my thought. Time is money. These folks could go and give a 1 hour speech with a 15 minute Q and A afterwards and make 5 figures easily. Being interviewed by Frontline does not add to their credibility or does it add credibility to Frontline. My point is these folks could have politely declined. Very unselfish in my opinion.

[@markofsaltburn]

I think it adds greatly to their credibility - pro bono work with a reputable broadcaster and qualified journalists of experience.

[@megahappy2bemeIntheStarz]

That insanity quote is often mistakenly attributed to Einstein. It is the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over & over again and expecting different results.

[@Major00Tom]

"guilty of 20/20 hindsight" great phrase.

[@terencewinters2154]

Putin had the administrative skills closest to stalin and the kgb fsb skills of beria and the westward looking out look of a peter the great. So in sum democracy was dangerous markets were chancy and nationalistic pride against outsiders was healthy paranoia.

[@mrgyani]

The concluding statement in this interview gives me hope..

[@marleneg7794]

The Brennan and Clapper interviews are very interesting.

[@ville9738]

yes, yes. putin was in kgb. but the truth of the matter is that he was just a low ranking bureaucrat, nothing more...

[@mstrider80]

I saw this guy in Patriot Games or Clear And Present Danger... but which movie was it?

[@terencewinters2154]

SB was the guy who took papers from the national archives.

[@dixgun]

Was the Crimea annexation presented by Putin as solely a request by Crimea to be annexed?

[@1981idx]

leading people in the ’90s to think of Russia as in some ways analogous to Germany and Japan after World War II: Russia would decide its internal policies to some extent, and it would be allowed to resume its role as a state in international affairs-but as a junior partner pursuing new American national interests....that was the pursuit that Clinton and Strobe Talbott, who’s now very upset about the failure of his policy, in the Yeltsin era. That’s what they wanted, and thought they were getting, from Boris Yeltsin. You can read Talbott's memoir, “The Russia Hand,” and know that all the official talk about eternal friendship and partnership was malarkey. Now it’s all gone sour, predictably and for various reasons

[@Aan_allein]

Russia will always be a junior partner to US or China. Just power realities in the world.

[@perimele6]

Is it just me or are a lot of these interviews very quiet?

[@TerrificLittleSunday]

perimele6 not just you

[@megahappy2bemeIntheStarz]

Do you mean volume wise ?

[@markofsaltburn]

Yup

[@jalijali8448]

He went ahead & did it again too, whatever happens in Ukraine- Putin will be the ultimate loser, as will Russia, it's a dead end.

[@marianlenehan9618]

we have heard in another of your excellent interviews that putin (small p) does not in fact have a Law degree. Instead he seems to have a Civil Servant qualification of some kind.

[@adamfrazer5150]

As necessary and interesting as I find this whole series, I'm thinking of adjusting the playback speed on this one, the laboured delivery on this interview is so slow that it's starting to mess with my body clock...

[@YoungBloodWASP]

I rather enjoy Straube’s measured, deliberate response. The cadence is in keeping with the gravitas of topic and wisdom he conveys.

[@fruitypebbles803]

I keep confusing Strobe Talbott with Strom Thurman.

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

I wish i could understand the half of it....LoL, I won't quit until I see different even if i don't understand it all, What i see i feel matches the picture. So I don't know what more to say, but i believe in DEMOCRACY & what i have been dealt is everything but that💯

[@thomashopewelljr8933]

Heart murmur

[@thomasscheck6575]

For a contrasting perspective, watch the Vesti Documentary on Putin, 2 parts, "The Documentary that will change everything you thought of Putin"

[@atlormerjo8830]

What is the probability that Putin will read my comment

[@TampaDave]

.000001

[@markofsaltburn]

Contact the Make-a-Wish Foundation and see what they can arrange for you.

[@thedexterbros]

32:53 I mean take a wild guess. The same guy has been running the place for 23 years

[@lysergamine]

none of these guys trusts their wives

[@PETE4955]

Oh, and they think they know him.

[@gabriellamclellan1102]

I wonder.. how much Putin was in his ear about retirement.. and maybe .. helping him along with his bad health..???

[@pdd60absorbed12]

Talbott's relationship with the USSR and now Russia has been very........profitable.

[@valgehiir]

Talbott has always insisting Russia is a good guy. Talbott has a lot to answer for, I doubt he is dumb and simply usuful idiot, I think Talbott has profited in many ways for his love of Russia. No man has been more wrong about Russia than Talbott.

[@OemmaGeom]

Any proofs?

[@thomashopewelljr8933]

Dhgate rodeo drive winnings

[@fredmunn8980]

d

[@fredmunn8980]

ss

[@LilMOMMAson]

I from Russia the country. Vladimir Putin is relation to my family. I taught him many things. He my nephew.

[@mrameyaap]

what did you teach him sir?

[@markofsaltburn]

Which probably makes you about 90. For a very old Russian peasant who was 60 when the wall fell, you do use the phrase “LOL” quite a lot in your juvenile comments.

[@pinklady7184]

Nice to know you, uncle of Putin, . I am Putin's great grandmother. I too taught him many things like how to boil an egg, but he hated chores.

[@LilMOMMAson]

@@mrameyaap how to ride bear and make judo punch

[@robertfeinberg748]

Check out the video of Putin performing Blueberry Hill. Resist and Impeach Biden Now!

[@purecountry6672]

Yes this is common sense to those that pay attention but common sense isn't so common anymore. The elites thrive on sending false information because 98% of the population believes what they hear and as long as the damage is done, not a lot of people will hear the truth once it's revealed. Mad world. Cheers 🍻

[@user-rp9jn6dt2u]

Does anyone have anything good to say about Putin? ..Or here's a novel idea, does anyone have anything negative to say about Obama? ..

[@user-rp9jn6dt2u]

@Joe McCan its the Obama Clinton dem controlled media, chatting down Putin when America has its own worse characters.. clean-up your own room before you comment on the mess in your neighbours room

[@user-rp9jn6dt2u]

@Joe McCan Putin doesn't give 2 fk's about any of this ..Obama went up against Putin twice and both times Putin called Obamas bluff ..quite hilarious ..why wouldnt PBS talk about Clinton and Obama ..why be critical of Putin why America has its own criminals

[@user-rp9jn6dt2u]

@Joe McCan Your left wing controlled media wont do a Obama files..

[@user-rp9jn6dt2u]

@Joe McCan Mao, Lenin, Mussolini, Bieryt, Jon iL, Mugabe, Al-Bashir, Obama!

[@TampaDave]

People say a good thing about Putin: he looks good without a shirt (like a "rent boy"). People say bad things about Obama: he once wore a tan suit, and he pretended to drink Flint tap water. I think most of the others are lies.

[@peainapodtube]

gotta say this interviewer is a little obnoxious

[@markofsaltburn]

You don’t really gotta at all.

[@nyhammer1]

Probably the most stupid comment ...

[@SPIDERman9051]

lots fairy tales and etc..

[@markofsaltburn]

I think it’s really sad that I’m the first person to feed this particular troll in four years.

[@officialpowerofbanana]

@@markofsaltburn why?