Putin's Road to War: Susan Glasser (interview) | FRONTLINE

In an interview for the FRONTLINE documentary “Putin’s Road to War,” Susan Glasser, columnist at The New Yorker and co-author of "Kremlin Rising," discusses how military force has been key to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rise to power.

“One thing that you get from looking at the whole sweep of Putin’s two decades in power is to understand that, for him, the use of military force has accompanied every step along the way of his journey to become Russia’s longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin,” she tells FRONTLINE.

Glasser is a columnist and staff writer at The New Yorker. She previously served as editor of Politico and editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine. She spent four years as a Moscow bureau chief for The Washington Post and is the co-author, with Peter Baker, of "Kremlin Rising: Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the End of Revolution."

The following interview was conducted by FRONTLINE's Mike Wiser on March 4, 2022. It has been edited for clarity and length.

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[kallini]

I'm terrified. As a Russian who left twenty-five years ago I wasn't in touch with Russia much. In 2017 I met some people via internet and the level of propaganda was overwhelming. "What were they fed?" I grew up during Soviet era, left in the criminal 90s, lived in Canada long enough and changed a lot, and now this... I watch everything of worth from sources in Russian (including propaganda itself just to see to what extent they lie). I agree with Susan Glasser - he'll do everything he threatens to do and everything he promises to never do. He is the most dangerous man in the world. I'm terrified. Just terrified.

[shirleyreese]

This was, by far, one of the most educating 45 minutes on Putin that I have watched. Actually, it was back to back with the old Putin and present Putin documentary. I hope to watch it again because sometimes I miss a kernel of info. Watch it! It should be mandatory viewing for all Americans! Thank you PBS!

[ursulabecker]

I am experiencing first hand the anguish and pain these Ukrainians are going through at the moment. We (a small group ) are assisting 2 ladies each with a 15 yr.Old daughter coming to our little village in Germany with nothing but a small rucksack. They have fled from Kiev. Their families and livelihoods have been torn apart. This past week has been extremely hard getting accommodation and furnishing it for them. I mean these 2 ladies are economic graduates but feel like idiots because they don’t speak German. Fortunately one lady and the young girls speak a little Engli
sh. They are traumatized with their young sons and husbands fighting to keep Kiev. One can c that they are afraid of every news they get from there. Their old parents are sitting in icy cold cellars. This is the reality of war. We are doing everything we can to make them comfortable but we cannot take away the pain and worry. A really extremely well put together and detailed picture of Putin. He got away with a lot of brutal military attacks in Georgia, Tschechien, Crimea, Donbas Region in Ukraine. He of didn’t expect the west to react in this manner. However, I know the sanctions are working but the private planes with these oligarchs are still landing in Dubai. Their money stashed away in Switzerland is not sanctioned. Many Germans are prepared to sit cold to stop Putin in his tracks.

[susannehadden]

Susan Glasser's knowlege, and frank manner of truth telling is fascinating and extremely frightening in its honesty. Her delivery and honest opinions and tell it like it is manner is hard to ignore. Kind of like driving past a car wreck and trying not to look. I've watched this 3 times now and will watch again I'm sure. I am truly grateful for her frank and honest evaluations of the situation we are all in now and mostly powerless to change.

[highphysics]

Incredible insight, and, very articulate. Susan Glasser has it absolutely accurate, and, amazing experience in Russia. Her observations are very disturbing, but absolutely spot on.

[joko]

This front line series is just amazing. So many great interviews with such qualified people. Very enlightening.

[magdar]

Such a brillant summary of the current situation.

[OBDPVCR]

Absolutely fascinating. The world needs more of this type of current events presentation. Well done!!

[bpro]

I absolutely love these interviews. So much wonderful context for understanding what is going on now. Love listening to articulate, smart people.

[jacquelinejuneau]

These two women have given the clearest explanation of this insanity I've heard yet.

[ChristopherSLucas-hvnz]

Ms. Glasser, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience during this interview.

[harlanglass]

Astonishing interview
Glasser is extraordinarily knowledgeable re Putin and modern Russian history.
Clear eyed, clear spoken.
Truly informative.

[justmyopinion]

This interview has taken all of the bits of information, like pixels, that we have been hearing and strings them all together to form a very clear picture of what's happening. Absolutely chilling. My heart breaks for the Ukrainians, and I can't help but feel empathy for the average Russian citizen. Scary times.☮

[TheMagforce]

Best one hour + of dialogue, thank you Susan

[ruthlessferocity]

I watched this video 4 times. She is an extremely extremely bright, sharp. insightful lady with a huge conscience and the right values.

[tosca...]

Another interview which shows how powerful it is to hear someone who has true knowledge which we want to hear in amongst all the blah, blah, blah. A really good listen, thank you Susan Glasser.

[CV-dbdg]

She was on point about Putin. Thank you for sharing your poignant views.

[ginasim]

Thank you Susan. I can listen to you for hours.

[celticman]

Putin told George W Bush of his opinion of Ukraine back way back when Bush was President. There have been disturbing clues as to Putin's intentions for years that have been disregarded or ignored.

[potserama]

It is very important that we have intelligent people who have studied Russia explaining this to us. Thank you Susan Glasser.