How Russia really works: Bill Browder on surviving Putin | Full interview

The Institute of Art and Ideas
The Institute of Art and Ideas
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Published 2024-06-06
Bill Browder discusses Putin, Ukraine, the function of Magnitsky Acts, and the nature of corruption.

This interview was recorded in September 2023, at HowTheLightGetsIn London. Book tickets to this year's festival here: howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/london?utm_source=…

Was a regime like Putin's the inevitable outcome of Russia's hard transition to capitalism in the 1990s?

Watch Bill debate the rise of BRICS at iai.tv/video/redrawing-the-global-order?utm_source…

With war ravaging Ukraine and Russia exerting its power across the world, the whims of Putin are more valuable to understand than ever. Bill Browder has survived as Putin's number-one enemy ever since the murder of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. While dodging Interpol arrest warrants, extradition attempts, and windows in high buildings, Browder has become a world-leading expert on the internal workings of Russia, and activism to hold autocrats to justice.

#russia #putin #ukrainewar

Bill Browder is an American-born British financier and political activist. He is the CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, the investment advisor to the Hermitage Fund, which at a time was the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia.

00:00 Introduction
00:36 Was an autocrat like Putin the inevitable outcome of Russia’s hard transition to capitalism in the 1990s?
03:19 Did Putin embrace the oligarchs out of choice or necessity?
04:47 How would you characterise the economy of Russia today?
05:52 How do Magnitsky Acts work?
08:47 How does sanctioning oligarchs affect Putin’s regime?
11:08 What have sanctions achieved since the war in Ukraine?
12:29 Can the West alone effectively sanction Russian oil?
14:19 How do you see the future of BRICS?
16:16 Could BRICS’ New Development Bank become a major force?
17:06 Why did we allow Russian money to take such a hold of London?
18:49 Can this be reversed through legislation?
20:01 How do you see the future of Russia after Putin?
21:19 Will we manage to toughen up on Russia, or will we slowly lose our resolve?
23:22 If Trump becomes president again, will he cosy up to Putin?


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All Comments (21)
  • @surfingonmars8979
    I was an Executive Producer/Writer on LAW & ORDER, the NBC tv series. About 15 years ago we were making a deal to do L&O: MOSCOW. I was en route to the airport in LA to go over and work for a year to get the show up and running. AT the FIRST CLASS LOUNGE, I was called and told the deal was off. Long story short, Dick Wolf and NBC were told last minute that they needed to kick in a $10 million bribe for the permits. No L&O: MOSCOW…….😊
  • @user-rg1lm2ly6f
    I feel that the Russians were welcomed into London by the establishment but never by the general public. The poisonings enforced this feeling.
  • @davidbiddle3257
    Plainly said, the British establishment loves money, and the shadow of Russian Imperialist-colonialism added to their mystique and acceptance. The British aristocracy is dying and they seem to engage any influence that restores their former glory days.
  • @thomasault2636
    Great interview! I'm not sure why our "leaders" ignore his strategies.
  • @peterschulz1231
    There should never be Bill Browder fatigue! The situation is far too serious.
  • @sharpfocus5
    Bill Browder is a true hero. So honest, knowledgeable and articulate. I urge you, don't just watch these excellent interviews, read his outstanding books.
  • @serbtesla
    Great story, in 99' was 17 when some idiotic country started bombing my country for resources and to build military base in it.
  • @whyem516H
    This interview must be at least 7 months old. Bill Browder is talking about Speaker Johnson not allowing "Zelensky to address Congress this week". Zelensky last visited Washington DC in September 2023!!!! This is even before Slovak President Robert Fico was elected and was just a candidate.
  • @mvjh2277
    When was this recorded? Browder reference to Speaker McCarthy is ousted 2023 October, or did he misspeak? Also, much happened in parliaments, congresses on frozen assets.
  • @hakangustavsson3538
    This post is dated June 6, 2024, but the interview obviously is much older. Even from before Mike Johnson became speaker of the house. Anyhow, it is always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Browder.
  • @gaston.
    Can hear the controlled rage in his voice for the brutal loss of his friend. Though I ask myself the question.. was he originally in Russia to exploit the hell out of it in the first place?
  • @genetixx01
    Looks like an old interview, would have been nice to provide the date when it took place. The context is always very important in geopolitic interviews.
  • @pgluvp4e
    Good material, Bower is a brilliant well versed man. How about an update…..the info is very dated especially about the speaker of the house in the USA! 🇺🇸