Russia’s long-standing quest for strategic depth, great power ambitions, and uneasy ties with the West have left an indelible imprint on Moscow’s foreign policy.

Julia Gurganus discusses the upcoming presidential election in Mexico, countries’ responses to external influence in the region, and the impact on U.S. policy in the region with Mark Feierstein, senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs on the National Security Council. (Runtime - 22:46)

Putin is less interested in President Nicolás Maduro and his regime than in using him as a thorn in Washington’s side. Venezuela’s crisis provides Putin with a like-minded collaborator eager to denounce the United States.

Souring attitudes toward the United States throughout Latin America have opened opportunities for Moscow to stoke anti-U.S. sentiment and advance its own interests.

In the latest episode of DiploPod, Jen Psaki sits down with Julia Gurganus to discuss the re-election of Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Runtime - 17:06)

Over the last couple of years, the gap between the Russian and U.S. strategies in Afghanistan has grown. Russia increasingly believes that the U.S. approach isn’t working and is convinced that it must be prepared to deal with an unstable Afghanistan on its own.

In contrast to the populist image Russian President Vladimir Putin has created to galvanize support, he is part of today’s Russian establishment elite.