The Kremlin has used the unfolding war in Iran to frame the United States as a reckless "wild elephant" sowing global chaos. Highlighting the destruction of U.S. bases and the "crusading" religious fervor of U.S. military leaders, Russian state media openly contrasts Donald Trump's "Middle Eastern catastrophe" with Vladimir Putin’s "special military operation" in Ukraine; whereas the American effort is depicted as an idiotic and aimless video game, Russia’s campaign is portrayed as a measured, well-planned, and unalloyed success. With potential windfall oil profits now added as a bonus thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, these television broadcasts paint Russia as an island of stability in an increasingly turbulent world.

In this episode, Andy Kuchins and Chris Monday unpack how Vladimir Putin and Russian elites understand the world, and how they seek to influence it.

Have feedback? Email us at RussiaDecoded@cftni.org.

As U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran enter their second week, the Kremlin faces a complex calculus of costs and benefits. On one hand, the conflict has triggered a surge in global oil prices and effectively diverted critical Western weapon systems away from the Ukrainian front, offering Vladimir Putin clear advantages. Conversely, the war threatens to further isolate Russia by driving the Gulf states firmly into the U.S. camp. While Russian state media intensifies its rhetoric regarding American treachery and "regime adjustment," the ongoing conflict exposes the limits of the Kremlin's regional influence.

In this episode, Andy Kuchins and Chris Monday unpack how Vladimir Putin and Russian elites understand the world, and how they seek to influence it.

Have feedback? Email us at RussiaDecoded@cftni.org.

As the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran commenced this weekend, Russian state media took a surprisingly muted tone, avoiding condemnation of President Donald Trump despite characterizing the strikes as a "treacherous attack" on an erstwhile ally. Vladimir Putin, seemingly taken by surprise, has conspicuously withheld any formal opposition, signaling that Moscow remains on the fence while prioritizing its high-stakes talks with Washington over the future of Ukraine. With Putin's "special military operation" marking its four-year anniversary last week, the timing of Trump's "operation" in Iran highlights (for Russian media) uncomfortable parallels between the two conflicts.

In this episode, Andy Kuchins and Chris Monday unpack how Vladimir Putin and Russian elites understand the world, and how they seek to influence it.