ToI podcast

What Matters Now to Ksenia Svetlova: Russia’s new position on the global ‘Risk’ board

Two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the former MK – an expert on her native Russia and the Middle East – weighs in on the Red Empire’s growing reach

Deputy Editor Amanda Borschel-Dan is the host of The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing and What Matters Now podcasts and heads up The Times of Israel's Jewish World and Archaeology coverage.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploration into one key issue shaping Israel and the Jewish World — right now.

Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the conflict is giving every appearance of turning into a “forever war.” But in other parts of the world, Russia’s influence has arguably grown.

This week on What Matters Now, former MK Ksenia Svetlova, an expert in the Middle East and Russia, speaks about how Russia’s forces remain throughout the Middle East and how its reach has deepened in Africa.

Born in Moscow, Svetlova immigrated to Israel at the age of 14. She is a journalist and analyst and was a member of the 20th Knesset for the Zionist Union party.

Unlike most Western countries, Russia sees Hamas as a legitimate political player on the global stage. Next week, Moscow is potentially set to host a peace summit in the hopes of a reconciliation between the terrorist rulers of Gaza and the leadership of the West Bank’s Palestinian Authority. Why?

Svetlova also shares how Russian citizens are faring after two years of Western sanctions.

So this week, after two years of war in Ukraine, we ask Ksenia Svetlova, what matters now.

What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the previous What Matters Now episode:

Most Popular
read more: