Is Trump a Russian Asset? – Bonus with The Guardian’s Russia expert Luke Harding
Summary
Andrew Harrison interviews Luke Harding about his new book, *Betrayal*, which examines the collapse of the post-war international order. They discuss Trump’s pro-Russian stance, Putin’s imperial ambitions, and the rise of a "might makes right" global dynamic. Harding details how Russian disinformation influences Western politics, particularly through figures like Nigel Farage, while highlighting the human cost of the war in Ukraine.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The shift from rules to spheres of influence
Luke Harding's book 'Betrayal' and the new geopolitical reality
North Korean soldiers fighting in the Kursk region
The human cost: Civilians in Ukraine under bombardment
Trump's imperial presidency and the Alaska summit with Putin
Russia's totalizing project and radicalization of its population
The Oval Office humiliation of Zelensky by Trump and Putin
Trump as a Russian asset and the spread of disinformation
Historical context: KGB ties and Trump's servile behavior
Putin's leverage over Trump and the end of US aid
Russian influence operations in Britain and Reform UK
Nigel Farage, pro-Russian views, and British political corruption
Exploiting Western free speech for disinformation campaigns
China's role: Supporting Russia and eyeing Taiwan
The 'Great Tyrants Era' and the fragility of autocracies
Delusion and hubris in US and Russian foreign policy
Is the Putin-Trump relationship fraying? CIA warnings
Conclusion: The 'Little West' and hope for democracy
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