Episode Notes:

In a speech this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a new mobilization campaign to bolster Russia’s faltering war in Ukraine. Here to tell us what this means for Russian politics and the conflict is Andrew Weiss. Andrew is the James Family Chair and vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment. He is also the author of the forthcoming graphic novel, Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin. 

[:46] Putin's announcement

[2:28] Nuclear signaling

[3:56] A new nuclear doctrine?

[4:54] Domestic politics

[6:44] The referendums for annexation

[8:11] Territorial expansion

[9:33] The American response