Mar 17, 2022·edited Mar 17, 2022Liked by Ari Melber
History is full of despots who met deserved brutal endings, many in the Old Testament, Ramses III, Julius Ceasar, Hitler, etc. Probably doesn't matter if Putin has the truth conveyed to him or not as he is "drunk on power". The people in Russia will eventually learn the truth and they will be the ones who will make lasting and positive change. In the more immediate future, once Putin is gone, he will be replaced by another autocrat until the people decide who they want. Good interview Ari.
When I heard Kozyrev speak the words "they might come with a weapon and escort him either to the grave..." I literally gasped aloud. I never dreamed I'd hear such words from a person in such a position. In a movie, yes. From a real life Minister of Foreign Affairs, no.
I smiled when I heard you state “don’t get high on your own supply,”. Andrei Kozyrev definitely got a kick out that adage😄
Putin is a terrible person and way over his head. Too bad no one dare to tell him that.
I am hoping for a quick resolution for the Ukrainians. Big ups to the Ukrainian leader, President Zelenskyy who is a true statesman, a warrior and a hero. Thanks for the segment on President Zelenskyy. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Two years ago we were going on with our everyday lives, preparing for a chaotic election. What has happened since, is so unimaginable and heartbreaking.
Putin seems to be ready to do whatever it takes to cause as much damage as possible. If killing women and children don't stop him, nothing will. Let's hope and pray Kozyrev is right and someone will have the courage to stop him.
Kozyrev has been a fascinating source of information. I appreciate these more "insider" takes on how things work in the Russian government.
I wonder now, does Putin even *want* to hear the truth? Maybe he'd rather stay in his little bubble. 'Everything's fine, Russia will prevail or we'll destroy Ukraine in the process...'
Putin is living in the past. In this modern age, with the lights of the Internet shining on everything, these strongman tactics are old news. Trump thought he could be another Putin; Putin thinks he's Trump. The planet will hold them accountable.
Sounds like Putin is definitely getting high on his own supply. Interesting to me that despots never learn. I am not at all surprised that his advisors would be more likely to kill him than tell him the truth. It’s terrifying that this is somewhat reminiscent of the last administration who had a fractured relationship with the truth. Good interviews with Kozyrev -scary but insightful.
All of this reminds me of our former wanna be dictator #45. No one could give him bad news because they were all scared of him. Some of them still are. This world does not need anymore people like Putin or those like him. Ukraine is fighting for their democracy and doing a better job than Putins army. I saw the interview with Kozyrev and was amazed about the truths he said.
Thank you Ari for that interview and for all you do to give us this type of news.
The underlying psychology here is so interesting. I could draw a parallel with one (or maybe even a few) of my previous bosses. To be clear, I’m not comparing any of my bosses to Putin himself but rather remarking on the dynamics.
Often times, working in the context of high-stress projects that cost a company hundreds of millions of dollars, leaders are so desperate for things to go according to plan (both in quality of output and timing) that they refuse to hear otherwise. So when the people working for the leaders rightfully report issues and warn of falling behind the plan, sometimes those leaders deny that reality. Or, people reporting to the leaders are afraid to tell them bad news, so they lie about it (often creating greater, more complex problems down the line than if they had been addressed sooner) whether or not the leader would have been receptive to that information.
I had reported to someone who repeatedly told me, “we *have* to hit the dates” and “we’re not changing the dates” in the project plan. Yet, I knew the dates were not attainable for my team of 12 people, even with them working 90 hours/week, as they were doing. So I had to maintain a separate, real project plan in order to prioritize their work and continue making steady progress — while continuously falling behind the official project plan more and more each week. It was madness.
Back to the situation with Putin and wondering “how can this be?” Indeed, it’s absolutely incredible. All the information in the world at his fingertips. Yet, I’ve seen these dynamics at work many times, so it’s understandable if not justifiable.
Saw the very informative Kozyrev interview. I was so intrigued by his statement of “coming with a weapon and escorting him to his grave or retirement,” I had to replay it. Did I hear right?! I had! Well, he’s taught them how to treat those he deemed unworthy. Being bogged down in this war has certainly weakened him, and Zelenskyy’s video on yesterday, did Putin no favors. It is biblical:”…Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” It might be Goodnight!
As the saying goes, as a man lives so will he died. Putin has always been a bad actor the world can not expect anything better from him, he does not for care for anyone except himself. He is destroying 2 Countries and its people, maybe more before it is over😔
I don’t believe the US should under estimate any person who has served in an intelligence role in the government. The training that Putin received is surely still engrained in his psyche. He may sound like a mad man only to throw off how you view his abilities. A weak aging dictator or a cleaver manipulator?🤷🏽♀️🤔
An example that Kozyrez gave about Putin aides not wanting to give bad news to the boss back fired(if I am not mistaken). Didn’t he jail some of them for not knowing (or did they not share what they knew) that the Ukrainian forces would fight back or could fight back? Maybe if the aides told him it still would be damned if you do, damned if you don’t!
One thing is clear everyone (even Russians) want Putin gone. It is just a matter as to who is going to do it ( with an armed escort or without).
This senseless war has to come to an end without further escalation! It is taking its toll on too many people (Ukrainians, Russians, reporters, etc.). I for one am ready for blue skies, rainbows, and peace around the world!☀️🌈☮️ Thanks Ari for reporting the hard news!🙏🏽
I watched the interviews with Kozyrev and was encouraged by his assessment that Putin’s Aides would rather remove Putin than risk his rath. I was reminded that a number of Hitler’s inner circle plotted to assassinate him but did not pull it off. I think Putin is like a paranoid trapped rat- he will get more viciously aggressive because that’s his M.O.
When his Aides fear personal attack on them is imminent hopefully they will attack first.
On another note, after watching the 3 episodes of Jeen Yuhs, I’m glad that I did but never would have if not for your recommendation. A brilliant editing job-the story flowed, never dragged, and just incredible footage, especially with the mother. She was amazing and really anchored Kanye. She helped channel his bipolar behavior. I can respect what he has achieved, I understand where the behavior comes from, I just can’t respect the behavior. It was an outstanding production. For a few hours it was a break from the war. TY.
Ari, as mention that Putin advisers more likely to kill him than critcize him. Andrei Kozyrev, who was Russian Foreign Minister under Boris Yeltsin mention on your show that Putin is not likely to hear about setbacks to his war effort in Ukraine. They swear to tell the boss the truth, but one day they might come with a weapon and it gets him either to the grave or to retirement. Putin believes his own propagandists that Ukraine is run by a Nazi -Bandera Junta, which is not true. Andrei does not believe that Putin would use nuclear weapons.
The threat of a nuclear war he says is another example of Putin's rationality. Andrei has suggested that the west should not agree to any unilateral concessions or limit its support of Ukraine too much for the fear of nuclear war. One thing is certain and true is that the world is listening and seeing the damages, hearing the cries, the lost of lives, especially the babies or children for this unnecessary expensive war. A mad man who wakes up and decides that the world belongs to him at any cost. A man who Trump considers a friend along with other GOP's. We cannot afford to give up. The entire nation must continue to pray without ceasing for peace , restoration and putting our enemies to bed.
I read this interesting piece with an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Your analysis could apply in SO many situations outside Putin's cruel and unjust war in Ukraine. Think, for example, of the previous administration's response to the COVID outbreak:"...So as autocrats [and wannabe autocrats] seize more power, and shut down internal dissent, they end up saddled with their own misinformation." Fits well, no?
And this could also be applied to leaders of for-profit and nonprofit industries, where voicing dissent might cost dissenters' jobs. Could also apply to personal/familial relationships with seriously unequal power dynamics. And so on.
The world is a mess right now. Thank you for consistently challenging us to view issues from different- sometimes unusual- angles. Keep shining your light!
History is full of despots who met deserved brutal endings, many in the Old Testament, Ramses III, Julius Ceasar, Hitler, etc. Probably doesn't matter if Putin has the truth conveyed to him or not as he is "drunk on power". The people in Russia will eventually learn the truth and they will be the ones who will make lasting and positive change. In the more immediate future, once Putin is gone, he will be replaced by another autocrat until the people decide who they want. Good interview Ari.
When I heard Kozyrev speak the words "they might come with a weapon and escort him either to the grave..." I literally gasped aloud. I never dreamed I'd hear such words from a person in such a position. In a movie, yes. From a real life Minister of Foreign Affairs, no.
He gets the final word for sure.
Happy St.Patrick’s Day, Ari ☘️☘️☘️
We only get to be Irish today😃
I smiled when I heard you state “don’t get high on your own supply,”. Andrei Kozyrev definitely got a kick out that adage😄
Putin is a terrible person and way over his head. Too bad no one dare to tell him that.
I am hoping for a quick resolution for the Ukrainians. Big ups to the Ukrainian leader, President Zelenskyy who is a true statesman, a warrior and a hero. Thanks for the segment on President Zelenskyy. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Two years ago we were going on with our everyday lives, preparing for a chaotic election. What has happened since, is so unimaginable and heartbreaking.
Putin seems to be ready to do whatever it takes to cause as much damage as possible. If killing women and children don't stop him, nothing will. Let's hope and pray Kozyrev is right and someone will have the courage to stop him.
Thanks Ari!!!🙏
Kozyrev has been a fascinating source of information. I appreciate these more "insider" takes on how things work in the Russian government.
I wonder now, does Putin even *want* to hear the truth? Maybe he'd rather stay in his little bubble. 'Everything's fine, Russia will prevail or we'll destroy Ukraine in the process...'
Putin is living in the past. In this modern age, with the lights of the Internet shining on everything, these strongman tactics are old news. Trump thought he could be another Putin; Putin thinks he's Trump. The planet will hold them accountable.
Sounds like Putin is definitely getting high on his own supply. Interesting to me that despots never learn. I am not at all surprised that his advisors would be more likely to kill him than tell him the truth. It’s terrifying that this is somewhat reminiscent of the last administration who had a fractured relationship with the truth. Good interviews with Kozyrev -scary but insightful.
All of this reminds me of our former wanna be dictator #45. No one could give him bad news because they were all scared of him. Some of them still are. This world does not need anymore people like Putin or those like him. Ukraine is fighting for their democracy and doing a better job than Putins army. I saw the interview with Kozyrev and was amazed about the truths he said.
Thank you Ari for that interview and for all you do to give us this type of news.
The underlying psychology here is so interesting. I could draw a parallel with one (or maybe even a few) of my previous bosses. To be clear, I’m not comparing any of my bosses to Putin himself but rather remarking on the dynamics.
Often times, working in the context of high-stress projects that cost a company hundreds of millions of dollars, leaders are so desperate for things to go according to plan (both in quality of output and timing) that they refuse to hear otherwise. So when the people working for the leaders rightfully report issues and warn of falling behind the plan, sometimes those leaders deny that reality. Or, people reporting to the leaders are afraid to tell them bad news, so they lie about it (often creating greater, more complex problems down the line than if they had been addressed sooner) whether or not the leader would have been receptive to that information.
I had reported to someone who repeatedly told me, “we *have* to hit the dates” and “we’re not changing the dates” in the project plan. Yet, I knew the dates were not attainable for my team of 12 people, even with them working 90 hours/week, as they were doing. So I had to maintain a separate, real project plan in order to prioritize their work and continue making steady progress — while continuously falling behind the official project plan more and more each week. It was madness.
Back to the situation with Putin and wondering “how can this be?” Indeed, it’s absolutely incredible. All the information in the world at his fingertips. Yet, I’ve seen these dynamics at work many times, so it’s understandable if not justifiable.
Saw the very informative Kozyrev interview. I was so intrigued by his statement of “coming with a weapon and escorting him to his grave or retirement,” I had to replay it. Did I hear right?! I had! Well, he’s taught them how to treat those he deemed unworthy. Being bogged down in this war has certainly weakened him, and Zelenskyy’s video on yesterday, did Putin no favors. It is biblical:”…Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” It might be Goodnight!
As the saying goes, as a man lives so will he died. Putin has always been a bad actor the world can not expect anything better from him, he does not for care for anyone except himself. He is destroying 2 Countries and its people, maybe more before it is over😔
I don’t believe the US should under estimate any person who has served in an intelligence role in the government. The training that Putin received is surely still engrained in his psyche. He may sound like a mad man only to throw off how you view his abilities. A weak aging dictator or a cleaver manipulator?🤷🏽♀️🤔
An example that Kozyrez gave about Putin aides not wanting to give bad news to the boss back fired(if I am not mistaken). Didn’t he jail some of them for not knowing (or did they not share what they knew) that the Ukrainian forces would fight back or could fight back? Maybe if the aides told him it still would be damned if you do, damned if you don’t!
One thing is clear everyone (even Russians) want Putin gone. It is just a matter as to who is going to do it ( with an armed escort or without).
This senseless war has to come to an end without further escalation! It is taking its toll on too many people (Ukrainians, Russians, reporters, etc.). I for one am ready for blue skies, rainbows, and peace around the world!☀️🌈☮️ Thanks Ari for reporting the hard news!🙏🏽
The Emperor has no clothes and though he's high on his supply, he's running low on that.
I watched the interviews with Kozyrev and was encouraged by his assessment that Putin’s Aides would rather remove Putin than risk his rath. I was reminded that a number of Hitler’s inner circle plotted to assassinate him but did not pull it off. I think Putin is like a paranoid trapped rat- he will get more viciously aggressive because that’s his M.O.
When his Aides fear personal attack on them is imminent hopefully they will attack first.
On another note, after watching the 3 episodes of Jeen Yuhs, I’m glad that I did but never would have if not for your recommendation. A brilliant editing job-the story flowed, never dragged, and just incredible footage, especially with the mother. She was amazing and really anchored Kanye. She helped channel his bipolar behavior. I can respect what he has achieved, I understand where the behavior comes from, I just can’t respect the behavior. It was an outstanding production. For a few hours it was a break from the war. TY.
Ari, as mention that Putin advisers more likely to kill him than critcize him. Andrei Kozyrev, who was Russian Foreign Minister under Boris Yeltsin mention on your show that Putin is not likely to hear about setbacks to his war effort in Ukraine. They swear to tell the boss the truth, but one day they might come with a weapon and it gets him either to the grave or to retirement. Putin believes his own propagandists that Ukraine is run by a Nazi -Bandera Junta, which is not true. Andrei does not believe that Putin would use nuclear weapons.
The threat of a nuclear war he says is another example of Putin's rationality. Andrei has suggested that the west should not agree to any unilateral concessions or limit its support of Ukraine too much for the fear of nuclear war. One thing is certain and true is that the world is listening and seeing the damages, hearing the cries, the lost of lives, especially the babies or children for this unnecessary expensive war. A mad man who wakes up and decides that the world belongs to him at any cost. A man who Trump considers a friend along with other GOP's. We cannot afford to give up. The entire nation must continue to pray without ceasing for peace , restoration and putting our enemies to bed.
I read this interesting piece with an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Your analysis could apply in SO many situations outside Putin's cruel and unjust war in Ukraine. Think, for example, of the previous administration's response to the COVID outbreak:"...So as autocrats [and wannabe autocrats] seize more power, and shut down internal dissent, they end up saddled with their own misinformation." Fits well, no?
And this could also be applied to leaders of for-profit and nonprofit industries, where voicing dissent might cost dissenters' jobs. Could also apply to personal/familial relationships with seriously unequal power dynamics. And so on.
The world is a mess right now. Thank you for consistently challenging us to view issues from different- sometimes unusual- angles. Keep shining your light!