Episode

#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
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3:24:37
Published: Fri Nov 04 2022
Description

Fiona Hill is a presidential advisor and foreign policy expert specializing in Russia. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Mizzen+Main: https://mizzenandmain.com and use code LEX to get $35 off - Calm: https://calm.com/lex to get 40% off premium - Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex to get 1 month of fish oil - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack EPISODE LINKS: Fiona's Books: There Is Nothing for You Here: https://amzn.to/3TR0nN9 Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin: https://amzn.to/3WiGU9F PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (06:24) - Education and career (17:10) - Donbas in the 20th century (25:28) - Soviet Union (36:03) - Donald Trump's foreign policy (48:03) - Testifying against Donald Trump (54:54) - US administrations (1:16:28) - Impeachment of Donald Trump (1:36:44) - Why people like Donald Trump (1:45:49) - Vladimir Putin (2:05:58) - Invasion of Ukraine (2:21:03) - NATO implication in Ukraine war (2:33:54) - Interviewing Vladimir Putin (2:46:22) - 2024 elections (2:49:30) - Alexei Navalny (2:54:03) - Nuclear war (3:05:54) - How Ukraine war will end (3:12:40) - Hope for the future (3:15:48) - Advice for young people

Chapters
The host discusses his fashion choices for everyday wear, including his go-to black dress shirt, and also promotes multiple products, including Miz and Main for style, Calm for meditation, Athletic Greens for multivitamins, and Element for electrolytes.
00:00 - 02:24 (02:24)
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Fashion
Summary

The host discusses his fashion choices for everyday wear, including his go-to black dress shirt, and also promotes multiple products, including Miz and Main for style, Calm for meditation, Athletic Greens for multivitamins, and Element for electrolytes.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
This transcript contains an ad for Element Electrolyte Drink, which claims to replace the need for a multivitamin and help with mental and physical performance.
02:26 - 06:50 (04:24)
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Advertisement
Summary

This transcript contains an ad for Element Electrolyte Drink, which claims to replace the need for a multivitamin and help with mental and physical performance.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
A woman reflects on her childhood aspirations of becoming a nurse and how it was common for people from blue collar backgrounds to view certain jobs as achievable with qualifications.
06:50 - 10:26 (03:36)
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Career
Summary

A woman reflects on her childhood aspirations of becoming a nurse and how it was common for people from blue collar backgrounds to view certain jobs as achievable with qualifications.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how reading Russian literature helped him learn more about nuclear weapons and nuclear war.
10:26 - 17:04 (06:37)
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Literature and Nuclear Weapons
Summary

The speaker discusses how reading Russian literature helped him learn more about nuclear weapons and nuclear war. He also mentions his attempts to teach himself Russian.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
In 1984, miners in the Donbas region, along with other coal regions such as the Ruhr Valley and Poland, sent money in solidarity to the miners of County Durham.
17:04 - 25:02 (07:58)
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Solidarity
Summary

In 1984, miners in the Donbas region, along with other coal regions such as the Ruhr Valley and Poland, sent money in solidarity to the miners of County Durham. Thanks to this contribution, the Durham Miners Association was able to provide funding for Russian language studies, a skill which would become evermore useful as relations began to change between Russia and the West.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker shares a personal anecdote about finding boots in her size at a Hungarian boot shop and how it brought a sense of relief after years of feeling like an outsider due to her shoe size.
25:02 - 29:47 (04:44)
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Personal Anecdote
Summary

The speaker shares a personal anecdote about finding boots in her size at a Hungarian boot shop and how it brought a sense of relief after years of feeling like an outsider due to her shoe size. She also mentions the Euro Missile Crisis and the agreement on rejecting intermediate nuclear forces that coincided with her fortunate find.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The US and the Soviet Union both faced political divisions, but the Soviet Union's was a power play while the US has ideological divides.
29:47 - 36:01 (06:13)
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Politics
Summary

The US and the Soviet Union both faced political divisions, but the Soviet Union's was a power play while the US has ideological divides. However, both have regional, political, and geographic differences that affect politics.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The ability to find good things in opposing parties is a good test to determine if one is honestly thinking about solving problems instead of just supporting a team.
36:01 - 42:12 (06:11)
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Foreign policy
Summary

The ability to find good things in opposing parties is a good test to determine if one is honestly thinking about solving problems instead of just supporting a team. In the past, UK parties were composed of genuine members who paid dues and attended regular meetings.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The focus on President Trump's behavior overshadows the national security importance of separating domestic politics from foreign policy.
42:12 - 48:36 (06:24)
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National Security
Summary

The focus on President Trump's behavior overshadows the national security importance of separating domestic politics from foreign policy. There was a combination of people around him trying to divert attention from Russia's interference in the 2016 elections and the poisoning of the world against Ukraine.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker critiques the George W. Bush, Obama, and Donald Trump presidencies based on the results of their actions rather than the treatment of individual people in those scenarios, citing examples from the Iraq War and the treatment of scientists during COVID-19.
48:36 - 58:47 (10:11)
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Politics
Summary

The speaker critiques the George W. Bush, Obama, and Donald Trump presidencies based on the results of their actions rather than the treatment of individual people in those scenarios, citing examples from the Iraq War and the treatment of scientists during COVID-19.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker highlights the importance of bringing more people into public service, expanding management fellowships, and bringing in scientists and mentorships of people from different generations to encourage collaboration across different spheres.
58:47 - 1:09:11 (10:23)
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Public Service
Summary

The speaker highlights the importance of bringing more people into public service, expanding management fellowships, and bringing in scientists and mentorships of people from different generations to encourage collaboration across different spheres. The focus is on engaging people at local and federal levels to generate more support for public service.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The Workers' Parliaments were formed during World War One due to the lack of suffrage and political representation of workers who couldn't pay taxes or run for parliament.
1:09:11 - 1:15:34 (06:22)
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Workers' Parliaments
Summary

The Workers' Parliaments were formed during World War One due to the lack of suffrage and political representation of workers who couldn't pay taxes or run for parliament. Today, workers still view their workplaces as an important space for benefits and as a means of getting their voices heard in politics.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on the history of mass labor and political parties and how it has influenced present-day politics, including the handling of national security crises and the shift towards local solutions to problems.
1:15:34 - 1:23:58 (08:24)
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Politics
Summary

A discussion on the history of mass labor and political parties and how it has influenced present-day politics, including the handling of national security crises and the shift towards local solutions to problems.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The Russian interference in the US 2016 election was used for political bickering rather than national security, and it is unclear how much influence it had.
1:23:58 - 1:30:41 (06:42)
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Russian interference
Summary

The Russian interference in the US 2016 election was used for political bickering rather than national security, and it is unclear how much influence it had. The process involves social engineering and hacking, and most hackers find pleasure in doing something difficult and ethical.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on media and politics, where people in charge of directing policy should try to read around issues rather than just picking one or two stories that detracts from the larger question.
1:30:41 - 1:34:38 (03:57)
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Media and Politics
Summary

A discussion on media and politics, where people in charge of directing policy should try to read around issues rather than just picking one or two stories that detracts from the larger question. It is highlighted that every single member of Congress and government official should ensure their family is nowhere near anything they are doing.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
Discussing the issue of nepotism and its prevalence in prominent positions reflecting a degeneration of the system, but diverting attention from bigger issues.
1:34:38 - 1:37:38 (03:00)
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Nepotism
Summary

Discussing the issue of nepotism and its prevalence in prominent positions reflecting a degeneration of the system, but diverting attention from bigger issues. Emphasizing how it can cloud judgment and become a hindrance to making progress in one's own career.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
Dr. Drew Pinsky suggests that to avoid Trump Derangement Syndrome, it is important to empathize with those who supported him, even if it may be difficult to understand their views.
1:37:38 - 1:43:19 (05:40)
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Politics
Summary

Dr. Drew Pinsky suggests that to avoid Trump Derangement Syndrome, it is important to empathize with those who supported him, even if it may be difficult to understand their views.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The episode talks about how Putin's beliefs changed through time and how he came to believe that the west is acting causing protests in the major cities of Russia.
1:43:19 - 1:52:36 (09:16)
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Putin, Russia
Summary

The episode talks about how Putin's beliefs changed through time and how he came to believe that the west is acting causing protests in the major cities of Russia. It also discusses the kind of relationship Putin has with the FSB and Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadirov.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The podcast episode discusses Vladimir Putin's inner circle and whether or not he speaks with moderating forces.
1:52:36 - 2:04:31 (11:54)
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Vladimir Putin
Summary

The podcast episode discusses Vladimir Putin's inner circle and whether or not he speaks with moderating forces. The episode also touches on the people around Putin who have come from a similar mindset and the speculations about who Putin confides in.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the importance of understanding people's linkages to a place and their identity, and how this relates to anti-dissident movements in Russia under Yuri Andropov, who presided over both the suppression of opposition and dealing with uprisings in Czechoslovakia and Hungary.
2:04:31 - 2:14:23 (09:52)
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Russia
Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of understanding people's linkages to a place and their identity, and how this relates to anti-dissident movements in Russia under Yuri Andropov, who presided over both the suppression of opposition and dealing with uprisings in Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Despite efforts to ferment pro-Russian movements in cities like Odessa, they have fallen apart.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The Korean War was fought due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the North-South division of Korea perpetuates a division that hasn't been solved.
2:14:23 - 2:20:32 (06:09)
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Korean War
Summary

The Korean War was fought due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the North-South division of Korea perpetuates a division that hasn't been solved. The Vietnamese fought Communism forces for their own country, while being perceived as weak and manipulated on the international stage.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The situation regarding Ukraine's security is complicated and needs to be viewed from a long-term perspective.
2:20:32 - 2:27:29 (06:56)
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Ukraine's security
Summary

The situation regarding Ukraine's security is complicated and needs to be viewed from a long-term perspective. The annexation of Crimea came after Ukraine sought an association agreement with the European Union, and Russia reacted when it became apparent Ukraine was moving away from their influence.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The Kremlin has expressed a desire for a return to the "concert of Europe" where the US and Russia can meet and discuss political matters.
2:27:29 - 2:33:37 (06:08)
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Russia, Ukraine
Summary

The Kremlin has expressed a desire for a return to the "concert of Europe" where the US and Russia can meet and discuss political matters. Hardline voices regarding Ukraine may have been encouraged by the Kremlin in order to assess the public's reaction and create support for more militant action.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
A political interpreter gives insight into their experience during phone calls and discusses the challenges and nuances of interpreting for someone who only trusts themselves.
2:33:37 - 2:39:29 (05:51)
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Political Interpreting
Summary

A political interpreter gives insight into their experience during phone calls and discusses the challenges and nuances of interpreting for someone who only trusts themselves.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The nuances, tone and body language of a speaker can be lost in translation if not accurately conveyed, especially when it's a crude or macho man being translated by a refined woman.
2:39:29 - 2:47:10 (07:41)
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Translation
Summary

The nuances, tone and body language of a speaker can be lost in translation if not accurately conveyed, especially when it's a crude or macho man being translated by a refined woman. Sometimes, an interpretive actor is necessary to accurately convey the intended message.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
Putin hoped to devolve authority away from himself and become more of a czar-like figure while consolidating Crimea and possibly incorporating Donetsk and Lukhansk.
2:47:10 - 2:57:26 (10:15)
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Putin, Crimea, Navalny
Summary

Putin hoped to devolve authority away from himself and become more of a czar-like figure while consolidating Crimea and possibly incorporating Donetsk and Lukhansk. It has been suggested that Navalny is not a stooge of the West but pro-Western.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The use of nuclear power has a double effect that can undermine power generation and increase leverage on the energy front while also creating fear of nuclear weapons.
2:57:26 - 3:03:15 (05:49)
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Nuclear Power
Summary

The use of nuclear power has a double effect that can undermine power generation and increase leverage on the energy front while also creating fear of nuclear weapons. This poses challenges for countries worried about their neighbors' nuclear capacities and maintaining strategic nuclear balance, making it important to negotiate with other nuclear powers.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
With Putin's nuclear saber rattling and talk of joining a nuclear alliance, there are concerns about how he plans to turn things around amidst geopolitcal tensions.
3:03:15 - 3:09:57 (06:41)
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Putin, Geopolitics
Summary

With Putin's nuclear saber rattling and talk of joining a nuclear alliance, there are concerns about how he plans to turn things around amidst geopolitcal tensions. From territorial receivership to undersea cables and infrastructure, all possible angles are being considered to avoid any further escalation.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
The speaker believes that despite tough times, we have overcome situations before and can do so now with the help of willing people who can evolve, like those who were funded by the Carnegie Corporation in the 1990s.
3:09:57 - 3:16:32 (06:34)
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Conflict Resolution
Summary

The speaker believes that despite tough times, we have overcome situations before and can do so now with the help of willing people who can evolve, like those who were funded by the Carnegie Corporation in the 1990s.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
Sir David Attenborough believes in the power of podcasts as a platform for people to share their ideas and provide a voice for a younger generation to be heard, and hopes to inspire listeners to take informed action to help save the world.
3:16:32 - 3:23:54 (07:22)
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podcast
Summary

Sir David Attenborough believes in the power of podcasts as a platform for people to share their ideas and provide a voice for a younger generation to be heard, and hopes to inspire listeners to take informed action to help save the world.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast
A person expresses their gratitude and admiration for the work and expertise of the individual they are addressing, acknowledging the difficulty of the current situation that they specialize in.
3:23:54 - 3:25:14 (01:19)
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Expertise
Summary

A person expresses their gratitude and admiration for the work and expertise of the individual they are addressing, acknowledging the difficulty of the current situation that they specialize in.

Episode
#335 – Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump
Podcast
Lex Fridman Podcast