Timothy Snyder On Syria, Russia, And ‘The Road To Unfreedom’

By Julian Hayda
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Putin reaffirmed Russia's view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake.
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Putin reaffirmed Russia's view that a purported chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma that prompted the strike was a fake. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo

Timothy Snyder On Syria, Russia, And ‘The Road To Unfreedom’

By Julian Hayda
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Audio available later today.

After U.S. coalition-bombing of Syrian government-held bases over the weekend, many feared Russian retaliation. It hasn’t happened yet, but Timothy Snyder, a popular historian who specializes in the 20th century, says the mere threat upholds both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s autocratic tendencies. Snyder will share with us three things to stem what he sees as an autocratic tide: demanding more economic transparency, shoring up accountability for the diplomatic corps, and taking climate change seriously. He posits, not only could these actions strengthen democracy in places like the U.S. and Russia, but could prevent situations like the one unfolding in Syria. Snyder’s most recent book is The Road to Unfreedom, Russia, Europe, America. His previous books were On Tyranny, Black Earth, and Bloodlands.