As Trump launches a jaw-dropping 180 on Russia-Ukraine policy, Biden’s number two at the State Department, Wendy Sherman, joins me to discuss Putin’s playbook and what Trump needs to know about dealing with him. Then, democratic institutions at home are under unprecedented threat. M. Gessen, who lived through similar events in Russia, joins the program. Plus, Madeleine Albright's words from my archives still resonate today. Also ahead, alarm bells are sounding over the threat to democracy. A new series traces Mussolini’s rise to power, and I speak with director Joe Wright. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices