The Bulwark Podcast - Fiona Hill: Putin and the Art of Manipulating Trump

Donald Trump is so enamored with Vladimir Putin he doesn't even know the Russian leader is regularly making fun of him in ways that can’t easily be translated. Trump is also running the White House like it's the Kremlin, with backdoor deals, quick enrichment schemes, nefarious activities, and cronies calling the shots—while people in official positions, like Marco, are just fig leaves. It’s the exact kind of political world where Putin flourishes. And his operation against the United States continues apace. Plus, the backstory on the proposed Venezuela-Ukraine swap, Trump's TACO on Greenland, Canada and Europe have had enough of the U.S. and buying American, Western allies don’t trust Vance’s dependence on tech bros, and hello: Ozempic is a Danish drug

The one and only Fiona Hill joins Tim Miller.

show notes

Marketplace All-in-One - What is media capture?

President Trump has routinely sought to influence the business dealings of U.S. media companies, including Netflix and Paramount’s fight over the future of Warner Bros. Rodney Benson, author of the book “How Media Ownership Matters,” has argued there’s a word for this trend: media capture. On today’s show, Benson joins Kimberly to explain how the phenomenon works and why he believes it’s playing out in the U.S. Plus, we’ll smile about the wonders of the cosmos.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Omnibus - Introducing The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs

Hear a teaser for The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs, from the
BBC. In September 1999, just weeks after a 46-year-old Vladimir Putin became
Prime Minister, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings across Russia, killing
hundreds of people while they slept.

The attacks plunged the country into panic. Families fled their homes. Residents
patrolled their blocks around the clock. An entire nation paralyzed by fear. But who
did it? It's a mystery that has fuelled some chilling theories.

Over 25 years later, journalists who covered the bombings still can't agree on who
planted the explosives or why. Presenter Helena Merriman returns to the story with
the reporters who were there on the ground.

If you like what you hear, find The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs
on BBC.com, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC
Sounds.

Up First from NPR - Rahm Emanuel on 2026 Midterms and Politics in the Trump Era

Rahm Emanuel has held many political jobs, and he's considering a run for President. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, he critiques democrats and offers advice for the upcoming midterms.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Barry Gordemer and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. Our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens and our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - Chicago Restaurant Week Is Back

Chicago Restaurant Week is back starting Friday, Jan. 23 until Feb. 8. In the Loop sits down with WBEZ food and drink writer Maggie Hennessy and moderator of local food subreddit group Mitch Gropman, to discuss all things Chicago food. We also get tips to make snagging your next reservation a breeze. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Divided Argument - Bok Choy

With shocking and uncharacteristic efficiency, we manage to discuss three merits opinions and one orders list dissent in only 47 minutes. Specifically, we  revisit Coney Island Auto Parts Unlimited, Inc. v. Burton (time limits for moving to vacate void judgments) and break down Berk v. Choy (an Erie doctrine puzzle), and Ellingburg v. United States (criminal restitution and the Ex Post Facto Clause), while also managing to discuss Justice Jackson's broadside against the Court's practice of "martinization." 

Inside Europe - Trump’s U-turn: What happened in Davos?

All eyes on Davos: Inside Europe's security and business correspondents take you through what happened at the World Economic Forum and what it all means, followed by a talk with human rights lawyer Wayne Jordash KC on Ukraine. Then: VAT fraud in Slovakia, Norwegian robots fighting isolation in schools, Winter Olympics preparations in Italy, and France's unlikely Catholic revival.