Episode 7

Modern Day Tsar: What Vladimir Putin Really Wants

Published on: 2nd September, 2025

What made Vladimir Putin the person he is today and what does he want out of Ukraine?

Three and a half years on from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and more than ten years on from annexing Crimea, Jasmine sat down with Russian analyst and the head of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Alexander (Sasha) Gabuev, to understand the man behind the villainous character in the headlines.

Sasha and Jasmine spoke about the events that have shaped Putin's world view, the EU and US strategies to end the war, what the viable options are for a peaceful resolution, what China's role is in all of this. Just as importantly, Sasha explained how the war has impacted Russia domestically, including the human cost of the war, for the foreseeable future.

You can find Sasha's recent articles here:

Foreign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/authors/alexander-gabuev

Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/stream/32a18ccd-4ac3-4c89-93eb-068c8630d99a

This week, the view is from Russia.

We want to hear from you! Email us on jasmine@viewfromherepod.com

The View from Here aims to showcase a wide range of views and opinions, which do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The View From Here

About the Podcast

The View From Here
The View From Here with Jasmine El-Gamal
The View From Here is a brand-new weekly podcast hosted by former Pentagon official and foreign policy analyst Jasmine El-Gamal.

Each Tuesday, Jasmine connects the dots between global headlines and the human stories behind them.

From war rooms to conflict zones to refugee camps, she draws on her experiences to examine how policy decisions impact real lives, uncovering the unseen costs of power.

The View from Here is foreign policy, reimagined: from the people shaping it, to those it impacts.

Get in touch with us with your thoughts and questions! You can find us at viewfromherepod@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The View from Here aims to showcase a wide range of views and opinions, which do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host.

About your host

Profile picture for Jasmine El-Gamal

Jasmine El-Gamal

Jasmine El-Gamal is a foreign policy analyst and former Pentagon official who cares deeply about building bridges and changing the way we talk and think about policies that affect us all.

In this polarized, tribal environment, we've lost something essential. We've lost our ability to see each other's humanity across political and cultural divides.

As a first-generation Arab-American who's navigated cultures across North America, the Middle East, and Europe, Jasmine knows what it's like to live between worlds. To see how the same event can be understood completely differently depending on where you're standing.

The View from Here is her brand new podcast where she will break down foreign policy, and the news, and their impact on the humans behind the headlines.