The Bear Bleeds: Russia and Ukraine

The Bear Bleeds: Russia and Ukraine

In this episode, Lewis Mizen examines the slow unraveling of post-Soviet Russia, how the war in Ukraine exposed the cracks in Putin’s empire, and what the future looks like for Russia. From battlefield losses and economic sanctions to Russia’s uneasy dependence on China, this episode explores how a nation built on Cold War pride may be forced to redefine itself in a new world order. Could a post-Putin Russia actually turn West? Or are we watching the chaotic decline of a former superpower with no clear direction? Either way, the bear is bleeding and the world is watching.

On the Edge: Israel, Iran, and the Global Stakes

The missiles may have landed in the Middle East, but the shockwaves are global. In this episode, Lewis Mizen unpacks the rapidly escalating tensions between Israel and Iran: how we got here, why it matters, and what a wider conflict could mean for the future of global stability. War drums are beating, alliances are shifting, and the world is, once again, on the edge. Correction: Iran is one of 4 Shia majority countries alongside Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan.