Jul 18, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min · 18 segments
Michael Shermer speaks with political scientist Marlene Laruelle about Russia's turbulent transformation during the 1990s and the rise of Vladimir Putin, why the Kremlin so badly misjudged Ukraine…
Marlene LaruelleGuest
Michael ShermerHost
She's a historian, sociologist, and political scientist at LUISS University in Rome.
Just before that, well, this was just a few months ago, right? She was research professor at International Affairs and Political Science at George Washington University, where she was director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and the Illiberalism Studies Program.
Did you know there's an Illiberalism Studies Program? [laughs] I know there's liberal programs, but illiberal programs.
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She's a historian, sociologist, and political scientist at LUISS University in Rome.
Just before that, well, this was just a few months ago, right? She was research professor at International Affairs and Political Science at George Washington University, where she was director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies and the Illiberalism Studies Program.
Did you know there's an Illiberalism Studies Program? [laughs] I know there's liberal programs, but illiberal programs.