His books are great too.

Brilliant commentary from a very knowledgeable person who knows Russia extremely well. Mark is the best voice I have heard on Russian actions.

Since I’ve been consuming Mark’s commentary (10ish years) there is one constant refrain: everyone else is wrong, Russia is hardly as bad as everyone claims it is, it’s actually pretty swell in many ways when you really think of it. Gosh, they have trains that run on time. Mark, please stop at some point and analyze your own deeply held precious beliefs. If Russians are wrong about their country, heaven knows ex Soviet block countries are very wrong about Russia, and you alone have this remarkable insight into a country that has descended into fascism and dictatorship while you proclaim the whole time that things are really not so bad, maybe you are in fact the one who is mistaken. This podcast would be much more interesting if you would bring on guests to actually offer other points of views other than your sermons.

I enjoy listening to this while working, aside from the repetitive tropes and hilariously wrong pre-invasion “insights”, though he seems much less Comrade Pinko after the invasion. Worth listening to for an educated outsider’s insight on the monsters behind the rusty, blood soaked Iron Curtain. (Apologies for the Russophobia, my father was stationed in Berlin when The Wall fell and those visits to East Berlin made a very profound mark. I don’t hate the average Russian, only their masters.)

Arrogant, contrived, basically CNN headlines. Also, have guests?

I am always grateful for Mr Galeotti’s well-informed insights into Russia. This episode was especially illuminating and I am grateful that he has a moral compass and does not fall for the cheap and counterproductive shots we have seen play out in our information space after the horrific terror attack on innocent civilians in Moscow, which we should all roundly condemn regardless of Russia’s appalling behavior in Ukraine.

Is an excellent communicator. The best voice on Russia today. Always insightful, smart and clear.

This show is going to be the next big thing. The host has a way of luring you in with his voice & keeps you listening with his insights! Keep the episodes coming

Fantastic commentary on Russia.

Mark illuminates the subtleties and nuances of all things Russia. It’s the only podcast I listen to twice to glean every detail offered.

Have been a fan of Mark’s for a long time. I am incredibly disappointed with this most recent podcasts. I sponsor Mark on Patreon. Have bought all his books. Praised him on Twitter. If Mark needed a kidney, I would donate mine without hesitation. However, the value and quality of the recent podcast has been way below what is his standard. A few podcasts ago was academically weak, and I regret not saying something at the time. Today’s podcast was morally weak. Mark is proposing Ukraine give up 20% of Ukraine’s land for peace. Mark, let me sleep with your wife AND your step-daughter every 5th day and then I will agree with you. Insane and I would never contemplate nor request. Your proposed concept for peace is disgusting and degrading for Ukrainians as basic humans. I am an American. I know we are crap at compromise, but it is that very attitude as to how we defeated the British (no offense) and gained our independence. That very fact molds our values in ways my British friends never understand. Freedom and democracy can never be compromised. Never. You can do better. Really, I am disappointed in you. Do I sound like your mother? Good. She was a smart women.

Intriguing Insight not available in the USA.

They just don’t do it like they used to, do they? Punditry instead of scholarship is the norm. Thank you for doing it your way Mr. Galeotti. Bought your latest book. Well be reading on my next trip.

If you want insight into current events in Russia, this is a must listen

Dr Galeotti’s analysis and commentary is superb. While I don’t always agree with it (I’m less optimistic on the regime’s survival after reviewing Guriev, reading the papers in the Journal of Democracy, etc.), it’s well-written, well-delivered, crisp, and engaging. The perspicacity is indubitable.

Pure podcast perspicacity.

Very high quality and granular information, beautifully presented. Without doubt, the best source for Russian politics, and great one for related matters such as the war. And: HUGE FUN. I'm a very active follower of ca. 50 news and history podcasts, and Mark's is in my top 4 with The Rest is Politics, The Rest is History and The News Agents.

Great insights and a very likable host. And those allegedly low production values…? Extremely reassuring. Love this podcast!

A great view and deep knowledge of Russia today

One of the top 3 podcasts for satisfying the craving for information about Russia and its relationship to Ukraine

I came across this podcast when looking for information on the Ukraine war, and I am so glad I found it. The level of insight and analysis on the inner workings within Russia is truly amazing. A must listen podcast.

Great content. But please put the audio through a program to remove all the mouth noises or mouth clicks. You deserve it

Mark's analysis of Russia and the world at large is always intelligently opinionated, nuanced and informed. If you want to understand Russia today, always listen!

I am voracious in my appetite in all things Ukraine War. Your Podcast has offered such insight in these darks times. You educate you listeners, not only about the war, but international goings on that may affect said war. You do well to not scare us (fear mongering is bad !) and you even draw out a smile or two, without seeming to be disrespectful. Thank you so much for all of your hard work! Please keep them coming.

Entertaining, clever, philosophical. Not just about Russia, but the interconnection of broader issues that we all are currently facing now but more importantly the downstream possibilities and consequences of what’s happening. Thanks Mark! Brilliant.

That’s it.

Outstanding podcast that gets into the nuanced details of Russian history, politics and current political dynamics in a fresh, relatable and easily understood way for lay people like myself. Keep up the outstanding work!!

I appreciated all your insight views on this spectrum.

Thanks so much for your interesting insights!!!

Can’t get enough of this guy. I’m waiting patiently on this post VE Day parade analysis!

Really terrific to round out perspective of events in Ukraine. If you want a richer and deeper understanding of the Russian perspectives swirling around the Ukrainian invasion, this moves the news to 30,000 ft discussion pulling in history/economy/internal structures/tensions etc. Listening from January 2022 forward is, in and of itself, a fascinating listen. Top notch.

Doesn’t know anything about our government. Calls Biden GOP.

Thank you for your insightful podcast.

The author of this podcast calls Great Patriotic War a "myth." Really? He might be a Nazi as well, saying things like that. There should be NO place for anti-Semitic content like this on this platform!

Very informative but please remember that the name of President Biden’s party is the Democratic Party, not the GOP preferred “Democrat” Party. Thanks in advance for your accuracy.

It’s difficult here in the United States to know what actually goes on within the Russian power structure. Mark Galeotti offers a first rate perspective for those of us I’ll served by our own media and politicians, and, sadly, by those on the left who, though rightly skeptical, are as ill informed and ignorant as the rest of us.

I’ve followed Prof Galeotti now for almost a decade. He is in my opinion THE Russia expert and I always rely on his experience and analysis on the topic. I highly encourage any Russia watcher or Foreign Policy fan to subscribe and listen.

Mark is one of the most astute analysts on Russia.

Do it

It’s great to see Galeotti’s observations move into the pod sphere! I’m a total fanboy. He’s my first stop on all things Putinesque. It’s a difficult and complex subject that he makes eminently accessible. I can not recommend him enough. If you want to understand contemporary Russia then Mark Galeotti is a core requirement. I look forward with anticipation to his writings and now the podcast. Best of luck!