The Big Steal

<p>In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russia launched a brutal invasion of its neighbour, Ukraine. True to his yearslong strategy of lies and disinformation, Vladimir Putin said he had launched a &ldquo;special miliary operation&rdquo; to &ldquo;denazify Ukraine&rdquo;. &ldquo;It is not our plan to occupy the Ukrainian territory,&rdquo; said Putin.</p> <p>Ukraine is now under siege, bombarded from all sides. Cruise missiles and cluster bombs have targeted civilians &ndash; and a Holocaust M

<p>With tensions continuing to grow between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and NATO, is President Putin&rsquo;s endgame finally coming into view? A massive military build-up on the Russian side of the border with Ukraine suggests an invasion is likely, but what would the ramifications for the surrounding region, and the wider international community be? If Russia invades Ukraine is a war that spills out of the region inevitable? And meanwhile, we explain how the dirty money flowing from into the London

<p>The Kremlin&rsquo;s lies can be seen almost everywhere across the globe&nbsp; and show no signs of abating.</p> <p>In fact world leaders are even adopting Putin&rsquo;s tactics as a new breed of autocracy is on the horizon.</p> <p>So what can be done to stop the erosion of democracy and ensure that voting remains the great equaliser in polarized societies around the world?</p> <p>Gavin Esler explores the worldwide rise of an &ldquo;authoritarian mindset&rdquo;: angry and highly divisive polit

<p>In this episode Gavin Esler explores the theft of democracy itself in Russia. President Putin holds elections regularly, but for what reason, considering that his ruling party always wins?</p> <p>In recent years, youngsters have taken to the streets to demonstrate their disapproval of their lack of rights. Most famously, Olga Misik was arrested by Russian riot police for reading the section of the Russian constitution that states she is allowed to take part in peaceful protest. Gavin Esler di

<p>The Big Steal returns with a new series exploring Russia's continuing journey towards an autocratic kleptocracy.&nbsp;</p> <p>Whilst the world has been gripped by a global pandemic, President Putin has maintained his grip on power at home by clamping down on anyone who disagrees with him.&nbsp;</p> <p>The leader of his main opposition, Alexei Navalny, has been poisoned and remains in prison. This is what becomes of someone who attempts stands up to the Kremlin in 2021.&nbsp;</p> <p>And with a

<p>Gavin Esler brings us news of the upcoming Series 2 of The Big Steal. A new 3-part series coming later this month.</p> <p>Plus - a sample of 'Taking Apart Terror' - a new podcast series from the same production team exploring the world of international terrorism. How do terrorist organisations work, how are they financed, and how are we fighting them?</p> <p>And the Taliban's recent takeover in Afghanistan make the world a more dangerous place? We hope you enjoy this short sample, and to list

<p>Gavin Esler talks to experts on Russia and its complicated political and economic landscape, to attempt to pull all the threads together and answer some of the questions that run through "the Big Steal".</p> <p>Gavin asks Vladimir Kara Murza how long Putin&rsquo;s grip on power could last now he has effectively fixed things so he could be in power for as long as he lives. Can anything or anyone stop him? He asks Anne Applebaum if Russia will meddle in the US presidential election again this y

<p>What comes next? There are clear indications that Putin was behind meddling in the US election of 2016, and convincing arguments to suggest that he tested his tactics on the UK&rsquo;s Brexit referendum earlier that same year. The Putin regime aims to sow chaos around the world, making the West look just as much a basket case as Russia.</p> <p>But after 20 years, could Putin&rsquo;s grasp on power be coming to an end? Or will he find a way to hang on to power?</p> <p>In this episode we ask wh