Charlie Hancock of The Moscow Times returns to Peace and Power for a wide-ranging conversation with host Gary Marx about Russia, the war in Ukraine, emerging military technology and the security challenges facing Europe.
Hancock discusses the challenges of reporting on Russia from exile, the Kremlin's treatment of independent journalism and concerns surrounding reports of pneumonic plague in Russia. The conversation also examines security threats surrounding American military aircraft stationed in Britain and the possibility of Iranian involvement.
Turning to Ukraine, Hancock explores Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine's developing missile and drone capabilities, and the increasingly dangerous use of autonomous drones against civilians. She also examines Russian elections, the Kremlin's efforts to incorporate war veterans into politics and what these developments reveal about Moscow's domestic priorities.
Finally, Hancock and Marx discuss Kaliningrad's strategic importance to NATO, Russia's repeated nuclear threats and the risks of a broader confrontation between Russia and the West.
00:00 — Introduction to Charlie Hancock
01:42 — Why The Moscow Times Left Russia
03:58 — Russia's Plague Reports & Transparency
09:06 — RAF Fairford & Security Threats in Britain
13:07 — Iran's Potential Involvement
18:56 — Russian Attacks on Ukraine
20:47 — Ukraine's Missile & Drone Technology
22:21 — Autonomous Drones & Civilian Safety
23:36 — Russia's Elections & Putin's Control
26:19 — Russian War Veterans in Politics
30:17 — Kaliningrad & NATO Security
32:25 — Russia's Nuclear Threats
34:44 — London & British History
38:01 — Closing Thoughts