Tug of War

Latest Episodes:

Far From Home, Bringing Americans Back May 25, 2022

Show notes

Although US-Russia tensions have been at an all-time high, the two countries have been staying in touch on another issue. Trevor Reed, an American imprisoned in Russian territory has finally returned home after nearly 3 years and intense negotiation between the two countries. His fate is different from fellow Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, along with others imprisoned in multiple countries around the world. CNN’s Jake Tapper talks about his exclusive interview with Reed, and CNN State Department Producer Jennifer Hansler explains what Reed’s prisoner swap could mean for other Americans detained abroad.

Recorded on May 24, 2022.

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How Putin’s Plan to Splinter NATO Backfired May 18, 2022

Show notes

After decades of neutrality, Finland and Sweden are set to file applications to join NATO, undermining Russian president Vladimir Putin’s aim of splintering the military alliance. CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson traces how the war in Ukraine convinced the Finnish government to take this step and examines how the world order could be impacted if other European countries follow their lead.

Recorded on May 16, 2022.

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How Russia’s War is Straining the Global Economy May 11, 2022

Show notes

Russia’s war on Ukraine is causing a global scramble for essential commodities such as wheat, natural gas, and sunflower oil. But how are shortages on these goods resulting in an export ban on palm oil in Indonesia and skyrocketing dairy prices in the UK? CNN Business Senior Writer Julia Horowitz talks us through the economic domino effect rocking global markets and the civil unrest it could spark.

Recorded on May 10, 2022.

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Inside the Escape from Mariupol May 04, 2022

Show notes

Before the war, Mariupol was a peaceful port town. Now, it’s the focal point of the biggest land war in Europe since 1945. CNN’s International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh spoke to some evacuated residents who have spent the last two months holed up deep beneath a local steel plant - he tells us about their journey, what life is like for those who remain in Mariupol and why future evacuations may be hard to come by.

Recorded on May 3, 2022.

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Terror and Tulips in Kharkiv Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, has been a strategic target since the earliest days of Russia’s invasion. Amidst constant bombardment and heavy losses, residents fear the worst could be yet to come should their city be encircled by Russian forces. CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward has seen both the rubble and the heroism on the ground in Kharkiv. She takes us inside the city to examine Russia’s gruesome tactics and the defiance of everyday Ukrainians refusing to abandon their homes and their countrymen.

Recorded on April 26, 2022.

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Behind The Scenes With “Navalny” Director Daniel Roher Apr 24, 2022

Show notes

The new CNN Films documentary “Navalny” chronicles the aftermath of top Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s poisoning, allegedly carried out by Russian agents (a charge the Kremlin denies). We talk with the film’s director, Daniel Roher, about how he was able to obtain intimate access to Navalny and his family, why it’s important to him for Russians to see the movie and what Putin’s response to Navalny can tell us about his invasion of Ukraine.

Recorded on April 20, 2022.

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Putin’s "Yes Men" Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Western allies were quick to slap sanctions on the wealthy oligarchs closely aligned with Vladimir Putin. But are they having an impact? CNN Contributor and former CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty examines who is in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, how they work hand-in-hand with the Kremlin, and why Russia is so desperate for anything it can call a “victory” on the battlefield.

Recorded on Tuesday, April 19 2022

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Why Genocide is More Than Just a Label Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

Last week, President Joe Biden described the atrocities being discovered in Ukraine as "genocide" for the first time. CNN Chief International Investigative Correspondent Nima Elbagir explains the legal ramifications around the label and also examines how Russian tactics compare to other conflicts she’s covered around the world.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.

Recorded on April 15, 2022.

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“The definition of victory has changed.” Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

After suffering a series of failures in the north of Ukraine around Kyiv, Russia is set to shift its focus to the east. There are fears that the assault could be even more relentless and indiscriminate as Vladimir Putin searches for some sort of victory. CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen examines why Putin is so focused on this area, what dangers await residents coming back to their homes near Kyiv, and how everyday Ukrainians are helping to document alleged war crimes in real time.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.

Recorded on April 12, 2022.

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Brutality, Caught on Tape Apr 10, 2022

Show notes

As Russia leaves behind a trail of dead civilians in Ukraine, the global outrage grows louder. Russian propaganda tries to hide the horrors of bombed cities and potential war crimes by Russian soldiers, but Ukrainian security services have released radio intercepts that counter that narrative. CNN Senior International Correspondent Matthew Chance discusses how Russian soldiers are communicating while on the ground in Ukraine, Putin’s inner circle of power and how Russia’s propaganda machine is keeping the Kremlin afloat.

Recorded on April 8, 2022.

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