Kennan Conversations is a series of discussions and debates on Russia, its political futures, and the wider post-Soviet space. Inspired by the legacy of George F. Kennan, the show brings together scholars, analysts, and practitioners to explore history, contemporary geopolitics, and the policy choices that shape the region.
Each episode examines Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia while also considering the global forces that influence them, including Europe, China, energy, climate, security, and United States foreign policy. Open to listeners of all backgrounds.
How is Russia reshaping Europe’s security landscape, and what does its evolving geopolitical strategy mean for the international order?
Recorded live in Berlin, this edition of Kennan Conversations features Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Hanna Notte, Non-Resident Fellow at the Kennan Institute and expert at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, and Michael Kimmage, Director of the Kennan Institute.
Moderated by Steven Erlanger of The New York Times, the discussion examines Russia’s geopolitical ambitions, its war against Ukraine, and the challenges facing European security and NATO.
The conversation explores Russia’s use of hybrid tactics, the evolving relationship between Moscow and the West, and the implications of these developments for European and global security.
With the generous support of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
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29 Jul 2026
Rebuilding Ukraine’s Cities: The Missing Middle
How should Ukraine rebuild its cities after war?
In this episode of Kennan Conversations, Nathan Hutson, Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Postwar Reconstruction at the Kyiv School of Economics, and Tetyana Samiliv of the Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine, join Blair Ruble, Secretary of the Kennan Institute Board, to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Ukraine’s long-term urban recovery.
The conversation explores sustainable urban planning, housing resilience, energy independence, reconstruction financing, and the role of local communities in rebuilding cities damaged by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Drawing on insights from the German Marshall Fund’s Ukraine Cities Partnership for Sustainable Local Recovery and the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference, the discussion highlights why thoughtful planning, international cooperation, and community engagement will be essential to Ukraine’s future.
22 Apr 2026
The Hungarian Election: Implications for the War in Ukraine
In this episode, Maria Snegovaya and Steven Erlanger discuss the geopolitical implications of Hungary’s recent election and the defeat of Viktor Orbán.
The conversation examines how this political shift may affect European Union policy, support for Ukraine, and broader dynamics within Europe. It also considers how Moscow viewed Hungary under Orbán and what this election may mean for Russia’s influence in Europe going forward.
This episode offers a focused look at the intersection of domestic politics, European strategy, and the war in Ukraine.
2 Mar 2026
Iran at War: The Russian Angle
In this episode of Kennan Conversations, Hanna Notte and Nicole Grajewski analyze the evolving Russia–Iran relationship amid war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The conversation traces the historical foundations of Moscow–Tehran ties, examines how U.S. policy shifts have influenced the partnership, and explains why Iran has become a significant defense partner for Russia since 2022.
The speakers discuss regime security, the limits of the partnership, the future of the Iranian nuclear dossier, and how prolonged conflict in the Middle East could reshape Russia’s regional and global strategy.
A timely examination of power politics, strategic calculation, and uncertainty in today’s geopolitical landscape.
7 Jan 2026
Maduro's Fall and Russia's Response with
In this episode of Kennan Conversations, Michael Kimmage speaks with Hanna Notte and Stephen Wertheim about the geopolitical consequences of recent events in Venezuela.
The discussion examines how U.S. policy toward Venezuela reflects broader strategic priorities, how Russia has responded to the loss of a key partner, and what these developments mean for global power dynamics. Drawing on historical context and current policy debates, the conversation offers insight into the shifting international landscape and the limits of influence for external actors.
A timely analysis of Venezuela, U.S. foreign policy, and Russia’s global role.
16 Dec 2025
The Russian Press and Putin
In this episode of Kennan Conversations, Michael Kimmage is joined by investigative journalists Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov, co founders of Agentura.ru and authors of Our Dear Friends in Moscow, for a discussion on the transformation of Russian journalism since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Borogan and Soldatov trace their early careers in Moscow’s media scene, recalling a moment of openness and professional optimism that gradually gave way to pressure, intimidation, and control. They reflect on key turning points in the early Putin years, the role of the security services, and how major political events reshaped the boundaries of what could be reported.
The conversation examines how journalists responded differently to these changes and what those choices reveal about power, ambition, and fear. It also highlights the enduring importance of investigative journalism for understanding political systems that seek to obscure themselves.
Kennan Conversations brings together journalists, scholars, and policymakers to examine Russia and the former Soviet Union through informed debate and historical perspective.
12 Dec 2025
Reporting on and from Russia with Jill Dougherty and Steven Erlanger
In this episode of Kennan Conversations, Michael Kimmage is joined by Jill Dougherty and Steven Erlanger for a discussion about journalism in Russia and the long arc from the Soviet period to the present.
Jill reflects on her personal journey into journalism, the importance of language study, and her experiences reporting from Leningrad and Moscow. Together, the speakers explore how journalism changed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the growing pressures on media under Vladimir Putin, and the challenges of understanding Russia today.
The conversation offers insight into reporting, history, and the enduring value of cultural and linguistic knowledge.
1 Dec 2025
The Prospects for Peace with Rose Gottemoeller & Pavlo Klimkin
Michael Kimmage speaks with Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, and Pavlo Klimkin, former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, about the turbulent state of Ukraine’s diplomacy. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics among Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, from public disagreements in Washington to Europe’s evolving understanding of the Russian threat.
Gottemoeller and Klimkin reflect on Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and identity, the role of leadership and personal diplomacy, and the strategic questions facing Ukraine and its partners as the war continues. Their insights highlight both the challenges and the possibilities on the long road to peace.
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