Here on the Bear Market Brief, a lot of what we focus on is, simply put, risk: what might happen, and what might it mean? On this episode, geoeconomic and country risk expert Rachel Ziemba joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to delve in the discipline of Political Risk: how does one "do" the field? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Jul 01, 2025•31 min
The two weeks after Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky’s Oval Office clash have precipitated drastic shifts in transatlantic relations and the potential trajectory of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Now a possible ceasefire is on the horizon. This week on the Bear Market Brief podcast, host Aaron Schwartzbaum and Maximilian Hess make sense of the Oval Office blow-up, discuss President Trump’s strategic aims, Russia’s goals, Europe’s response, the US-Ukraine minerals deal, and what might come next with...
Mar 19, 2025•34 min
Where does the US stand in the world as Trump (re)assumes office? How is his approach towards Ukraine shaping up? Stephen Wertheim , Senior Fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to explore the broader context and drivers of how policy towards Russia will, and will not, be made. Read Stephen’s latest piece for Foreign Affairs here . This episode was recorded on December 20, 2024. This is a public episode. If you would...
Jan 16, 2025•35 min
Between a Russian offensive and the reelection of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine hangs in the balance. Janis Kluge joins host Aaron Schwartzbaum to explore how we got here and what might happen next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Nov 26, 2024•34 min
Kyiv-based journalist Fabrice Deprez returns to the brief for another update on the mood in Ukraine, including a report on his recent trip to the front line city of Pokrovsk. For more reporting from Ukraine, be sure to check out Fabrice’s Eastern Radar newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Oct 07, 2024•38 min
Why has the Global South, historically on the receiving end of colonialism and imperialism, maintained what might be called a neutral stance towards Russia's war against Ukraine? Ivan Grek , Director of the Russia Program at George Washington University’s Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, joins Aaron Schwartzbaum to discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Jul 01, 2024•25 min
Russia has taken an increasingly authoritarian turn over the last decade, but is its political system fascist? Marlene Laruelle and Julian Waller join to discuss the blurry lines between politics, ideology, and terminology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
May 28, 2024•34 min
The Bear Market Brief goes nuclear! Andrey Baklitskiy dropped by to discuss all Russia's strategic red lines, what the introduction of hypersonic weapons means for global security, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Apr 18, 2024•24 min
If we know how Russia's presidential election is going to turn out... why even bother holding the election? Join Aaron Schwartzbaum, András Tóth-Czifra, and Olga Khvostunova for an exploration of electoral autocracy and the political moment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Mar 15, 2024•33 min
Despite Western economic policy, Russia has been able to continue its war against Ukraine, and even seen economic growth. Join as we kick off our season with Nick Trickett and Iikka Korhonen investigating what's driving Russia's economy these days, and whether sanctions are "working." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Feb 28, 2024•31 min
Almost two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Bear Market Brief investigates how we got here in the first place. What does theory say about Vladimir Putin’s decision making? Seva Gunitsky joins to discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Dec 13, 2023•22 min
Where does Russian public sentiment on politics and war stand these days? And on a more basic level, how is it measured? Bear Market Brief talked with Isabelle DeSisto of Russia Watcher to learn more! Learn more about Russia Watcher here Explore more from the Bear Market Brief Podcast here This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Nov 02, 2023•27 min
On this week's special episode of the Bear Market Brief, Aaron Schwartzbaum sits down with FPRI Fellow Maximilian Hess to talk about his new book "Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict Between Russia and the West" (Hurst, 2023). This episode was recorded live on September 28, 2023. For more on the international economic order and the conflicts shaping it, check out Max's newsletter, Conflict & Credit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers ...
Oct 12, 2023•40 min
Politically and socially, how are Ukrainians contending with a difficult, long war? Fabrice Deprez joins from Kyiv to give us an update. Check out Fabrice's newsletter, Eastern Radar Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Sep 30, 2023•28 min
Have you heard calls for Ukraine and Russia to "just negotiate"? What does theory say about how (and why) wars come to an end? Christine Cheng joins to discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Jul 20, 2023•35 min
If you're a Russian against the war in Ukraine, what options do you have? And how has resistance evolved as the war has continued? Colleen Wood joins the Bear Market Brief. Related Reading: Is Russia’s anti-war movement changing people’s minds? by Colleen Wood This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Jun 20, 2023•30 min
Patriotic education in Russia: how does it work? Is this any different from in the West? And among Russia's young people, are we seeing generational differences as far as political attitudes go? Allyson Edwards joins Aaron Schwartzbaum on the Bear Market Brief. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
May 11, 2023•32 min
We take a jaunt south to explore the people and politics behind Israel's Ukraine policy. What do Israel's leaders want from this war, and how do more locational considerations fit in? What does the local population with roots in the former Soviet Union make of all this? Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Apr 13, 2023•23 min
How do you make sense of Russia's seemingly contradictory narrative about its invasion of Ukraine? And how is support, or at least assent, for the war generated? Jade McGlynn joins to discuss. Learn more about Jade's new book Russia's War Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Apr 05, 2023•32 min
How important is the war in Ukraine for the United States? What should Washington do about it? Stephen Wertheim drops by to share some options for your consideration. Learn more about Stephen's book Tomorrow, the World Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Mar 23, 2023•38 min
What motivates people who, when Russia invaded, decided to run towards the fire and assist Ukrainians? British Expeditionary Aid and Rescue, an aid organization, joins to share its experience. BEAR's Website: https://www.britishexpeditionaryaidrescue.org/ Donation Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/british-expeditionary-aid-rescue-ukraine This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Mar 02, 2023•34 min
On the anniversary of Russia's invasion, Maria Romanenko shares her experience fleeing Ukraine and reflects on what the war means, both personally and broadly. Link: F undraiser for building a museum in the village of Yahidne to showcase Russia’s war crimes there. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Feb 23, 2023•54 min
What do the statistics and other indicators coming out of Russia these days actually mean, and which ones should we actually be paying attention to? Chris Miller and Andras Toth-Czifra stop by to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief newsletter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Feb 13, 2023•27 min
How is Russia's economy doing as we start 2023? And how is mobilization going - if it is even possible? Nick Trickett joins to discuss. Subscribe to the Bear Market Brief This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Jan 19, 2023•28 min
What has the war actually been like on the ground? How have communities, and the Ukrainian government reacted? Kirill, a Kyiv resident and open source conflict researcher, joins to share his experience. Support Vostok SOS: https://vostok-sos.org/en/i-wanna-help/rekvizyty-dlia-hroshovoho-perekazu/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Dec 09, 2022•52 min
What do Russians actually think about the war in Ukraine? How are sanctions being felt locally? And what can we learn - or not - from polls conducted in Russia's current political climate. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Nov 09, 2022•34 min
FPRI's Phil Wasielewski joins to provide an update on the war and take a step back. What is the broader strategic picture and what does it mean for Putin and Russia? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Sep 28, 2022•46 min
Jan Matti Dollbaum, Morvan Lallouet, Ben Noble, authors of the book "Navalny: Putin's Nemesis, Russia's Future?" and Eilish Hart, editor of BMB Ukraine, join to discuss all things Alexei Navalny. You can purchase the book on https://global.oup.com and use ADISTA5 for a 30% discount! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com...
Sep 21, 2021•38 min
Felix Light stops by to discuss Russia's upcoming Duma elections, what they mean, who's involved, and what to expect. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Sep 09, 2021•32 min
Who is Russia's prime minister, anyway? Dr. Fabian Burkhardt joins to explain PM Mishustin's agenda, and what his role means for governance in Russia. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearmarketbrief.substack.com
Jun 15, 2021•36 min