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    The shocking death and extraordinary life of Alexei Navalny

    en-gbFebruary 20, 2024

    Podcast Summary

    • Navalny's Legacy: A Fight Against Corruption in RussiaNavalny's legacy inspires Russians to continue fighting for democracy and against corruption, despite facing repression from the government.

      The passing of Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition figure, has left many questioning the future of Russia and its ongoing battle against corruption. Navalny, who survived numerous attacks and poisoning attempts, was a true leader who refused to back down despite facing long prison sentences. His central belief was that Russia could be free from the deeply corrupt government led by Vladimir Putin. Navalny's political career was sparked by his anger towards the government's handling of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and its failure to protect citizens from danger. His unique approach to activism, which included humor and excitement, galvanized protests across the country. Despite his untimely death, Navalny's supporters continue to fight for change, risking arrest in an increasingly repressive regime. The Sleep Number Smart Bed, with its individualized comfort and customer satisfaction, offers a reminder of the importance of taking care of oneself amidst the challenges of the world.

    • Russian Officials Forced Farmers to Work on Contaminated Land During Putin's Rise to PowerNavalny, an anti-corruption activist, faced numerous politically motivated criminal charges despite challenging the Russian government and even running for mayor of Moscow.

      During the early 2000s, Russian officials forced farmers to work on contaminated land following the Chernobyl disaster, while Putin, a former KGB agent and lawyer, was rising to power. Navalny, an anti-corruption activist, initially held nationalist views but later shifted towards exposing government corruption. However, his activism led to numerous politically motivated criminal charges against him starting from the Bolotnaya protests in 2011. Despite these challenges, Navalny continued to challenge the government and even ran for mayor of Moscow in 2013. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Navalny's grassroots political movement showcased his potential to become a significant political figure in Russia.

    • Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's dominance through grassroots discussions, infrastructure, and YouTube channel contrasted Putin's styleNavalny's grassroots efforts, political infrastructure, and YouTube channel made him a dominant political figure in Russia, despite facing legal cases and attacks, including poisoning, which showed the acceptance of violence against political opponents.

      Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was a charismatic and dominant political figure who built a grassroots movement through grassroots discussions, a nationwide political infrastructure, and a popular YouTube channel. His contrasting style to Putin, who rarely does interviews and lacks warmth, made him a dominant figure in any setting. However, Navalny faced legal cases and attacks, including being partially blinded with disinfectant in 2017 and poisoned with Novichok in 2020, which showed the lack of proper investigation into such incidents. Despite these challenges, Navalny continued his work in Russia until he was poisoned and left in a coma. The attacks against him highlighted the tacit acceptance of violence against political opponents in Russia.

    • Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returns to Russia despite risksAlexei Navalny, despite the risks, returned to Russia to lead his political movement effectively and was later arrested and sentenced to 19 years in prison for opposing Vladimir Putin.

      Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, was poisoned with Novichok in 2020 and went into political exile in Germany to recover. However, after about 5 months, he made the decision to return to Russia despite the risks, as he felt he couldn't effectively lead the political movement he had created from outside the country. Upon his return, he was arrested for a parole violation and later faced criminal charges for extremism, receiving a sentence of 19 years in a harsh prison regime in Siberia. This act of defiance by Navalny, knowing the potential consequences, underscores his dedication to opposing Vladimir Putin and fighting for political change in Russia.

    • Navalny's 1100 days in Russian prisonsDespite harsh conditions and limited communication, Navalny continued to educate himself and challenge Putin's regime, demonstrating resilience and courage.

      Aleksei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader, spent over 1100 days in Russian prisons under harsh conditions, which amounted to a slow and painful death. His friend and mentor, journalist and political scientist Evgenia Albats, shared her experiences of trying to keep in touch with Navalny during his imprisonment. Despite the lack of access to the Internet and limited communication, they managed to correspond through letters and blank pieces of paper. Navalny continued to educate himself and learn from foreign politicians during his time in jail. His determination to remain a Russian politician and be with his people, even after being poisoned, underscores his unwavering commitment to fighting against Putin's repressive regime. Navalny's story highlights the extreme lengths the Russian government goes to silence dissent, and the resilience and courage of those who continue to challenge it.

    • Impact of Alexei Navalny's Death on RussiansRussian people demonstrated courage and determination against repressive regime despite Navalny's death, but the future of opposition is uncertain.

      Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny's impact was felt deeply by Russians, even in his death, despite his exile and subsequent designation as a foreign agent by the Russian government. Navalny's words of resilience and the massive turnout at his vigils demonstrated the courage and determination of the Russian people against a repressive regime. However, the circumstances surrounding Navalny's death remain unclear, with the Russian authorities providing little information on the cause. The void left by Navalny's absence raises questions about the future of Russia's opposition. Despite feeling a sense of guilt and helplessness, the speaker expressed pride in the courage of her fellow citizens.

    • Russian Government's Apathy Towards Navalny's DeathThe Russian government has shown apathy towards opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death, obfuscating the situation and delaying the release of his body for investigation. International condemnation and threats of sanctions have yet to yield results.

      The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been met with official apathy and obfuscation from the Russian government, despite international condemnation. Navalny's mother has been unable to receive his body for three days, with authorities citing an ongoing investigation. State media have downplayed the significance of his death, avoiding using his name and moving quickly on to other news segments. With Putin facing no legitimate challengers in the upcoming Russian elections, the international community is left wondering what tools they have left to pressure the Russian government over Navalny's death and other human rights abuses. Navalny's grassroots movement, which posed a significant challenge to Putin, faces an uncertain future without its charismatic leader. The US and European leaders have condemned Putin for Navalny's death and threatened sanctions, but it remains to be seen if these measures will have a significant impact on Russia.

    • Navalny's Wife Announces Political AmbitionsNavalny's death sparks resolve among supporters, new faces emerge in Russian opposition, and his words of courage inspire activism.

      The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has sparked a wave of resolve and determination among his supporters. Despite the danger and risk involved, Navalny's wife, Julia, has announced her intention to enter politics and continue his fight against corruption. This shows that his death may lead to new faces and increased activism in the Russian opposition movement. Navalny's words, encouraging people not to be afraid and to resist, are likely to become a rallying cry for his supporters. The legacy of this important leader will be one of courage and determination in the face of adversity.

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    3 Political Players from Global South: "Saints" or "Sinners"?

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    from time to time, we, in the western liberal democracies, mostly with the best of intentions, from our ivory towers, pick sides rather easily when it comes to politics of Global South, without fully understanding the complexities. 

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    Alexei Navalny, currently being hailed as a hero in the west, rose to prominence in Russia by his supposed expose of corruption in Kremlin. Although he ran for the office of mayor in Moscow, he lost. A lot of people in the west do not know that Navalny has never held a public office in Russia, in fact he started in politics as a member of Russian liberal party, Yabloko, only to be expelled from the party for his “nationalist activities”. 

    Aung San Suu Kyi:

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    Juan Guaido:

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    ON THE RECORD: Russia refusing to release Alexei Navalny's body after mother makes plea

    ON THE RECORD: Russia refusing to release Alexei Navalny's body after mother makes plea

    Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's mother calls on Vladimir Putin to turn over her son's body.  Lyudmila Navalnaya made the plea in a video taken outside the penal colony where Navalny died.  Former CBS News Moscow Bureau Chief and current Fordham Professor Beth Knobel joins On the Record with Steve Scott.