173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

  • Podcast

  • 2 February 2026

  • Posted by Alastair Campbell

  • 0

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really start the war in Ukraine? 


Rory and Alastair are joined by Bill Browder to answer all this and more. 


Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your free trial at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord.


Social Producer: Celine Charles

Video Editor: Josh Smith

Producer: Alice Horrell

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen

Head of Politics: Tom Whiter

Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really s... Continue

2 February 2026

495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time)

*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners* What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about the state of democracy and truth in the Trump era? I... Continue

29 January 2026

494. Carney’s Trump Fightback and the Starmer-Burnham Fallout

Can the 'middle powers' escape Trump's grip and build a world beyond American and Chinese dominance? What is the 'Board of Peace' and why is Trump its chairman for life? Is Starmer’s ‘control-frea... Continue

28 January 2026

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Heckling Trump in Davos

The Orange Man Boy’s speech was so full of lies that I had to do something. But as a former US vice president told me, it’s probably not the best way to deal with him... Continue

28 January 2026

172. Neil Kinnock: Trump, Thatcher, and Why Labour Lost In 1992 (Part 2)

Why did Neil Kinnock believe the fight against Margaret Thatcher was an existential one? What would Kinnock do to tackle the threat posed to Labour by reform? Why did Labour lose the 1992 election? A... Continue

26 January 2026

What If the AI Revolution Isn’t Real?

Is AI a revolution, or just another slow-moving general technology? Are we mistaking hype for inevitability? And, can a technology this unreliable really reshape civilisation? Rory Stewart and Matt C... Continue

25 January 2026

493. Trump Insults NATO Troops

Why has Trump chosen to denigrate the sacrifice of allied soldiers? Are Keir Starmer and other NATO leaders finally reaching a breaking point with the US President? And what does this mean for the fut... Continue

23 January 2026

492. Should Europe Boycott the World Cup? (Question Time)

Could Trump’s continued Greenland threats spark international boycotts of the World Cup? Does Robert Jenrick’s chaotic defection to Reform strengthen or weaken the Conservatives? How stable is the... Continue

23 January 2026