A podcast about the politics and the history of the eastern Europe - including, but not limited to the current state of Russia, politics of the EU, history of the USSR and the region in general. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kristaps Andrejsons Podcasts
A show that sheds light behind the Dark Myths Collective members, and host other collaborative projects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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History Impossible covers some of the less-known, strange, and supposedly impossible events, people, and ideologies throughout history that are all nonetheless true. The settings and time periods range from the Second World War to ancient Japan to medieval Europe, and many more. The show engages with difficult ideas and impossible decisions that were made by human beings like you or me, always to significant effect. It goes out of its way to grant agency to all of its subjects and does its b ...
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Cinephile, history fan, and one-time Muscovite Ally Pitts explores contemporary and Soviet-era Russian language cinema one film at a time! The show combines interviews and movie discussion, and features expert guests including authors, journalists, stand-up comedians, and indie podcasters. From time to time, it also tackles Hollywood’s attempts to bring aspects of Russian culture, literature, and history to the Silver Screen.
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Welcome to Secret Police! A history podcast about the world’s most infamous secret police forces. We take a detailed look at the deception and the brutality secret police impose upon their own people to further the goals of totalitarian depravity.
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NEWS: Ally Pitts curates Jane Austen 250th anniversary film season! Plus Whit Stillman tour, and podcast recommendations!
5:50
5:50
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5:50Host Ally Pitts shares some news about a season of films adapted from or inspired by the works of Jane Austen that he has co-curated with the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. He also mentions Whit Stillman's UK tour in late July 2025. And Soviet Winnie the Pooh. Obviously. Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode: https://uppcinema.com/show_type…
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Industry and Russia: An interview with prof. Igor Lipsits
40:24
40:24
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40:24The economics professor that I have been quoting for a long time on this show, finally appears in person on The Eastern Border to talk about Russian economics. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We've reached the point in the war where vatniks start to openly confirm my predictions about what's going to happen with Russia in the near future. Also, vatnik poetry. If there's one episode of my show that's a "must listen", it's this one. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m…
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The Unreality of Realism (w/ Zack Twamley of When Diplomacy Fails)
2:24:20
2:24:20
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2:24:20In this newest conversation on History Impossible, I was super-happy to be joined by fellow historical podcaster Zack Twamley, host of the excellent and long-running podcast, When Diplomacy Fails. Zack and I have mostly crossed paths via our mutual podcasting pal Kristaps Andrejsons of the Eastern Border podcast, on which we have both been guests. …
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Today, I'm bringing You an episode full of feel-good niceness, happy emotions and pleasant vibes. How? Well, because the vatnik tears in these few days have been just epic. And their hatred of SPIEF knows no bounds. I don't really understand why, though, as that too was a shitshow.... Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. H…
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War in Ukraine 294: Value of life in Russia
57:13
57:13
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57:13Russian government has started to nationalize private property, starting with an airfield. No surprises there, because why would people's property be of any value of the state if the lives of Russia's citizens are considered worthless by the kremlin elite. In today's episode, I'll show you the depths of exactly how far this goes. That, and, of cour…
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Vatniks react to Israel attacking Iran - basically, they've written off that whole country by now. At the same time, another huge Z post which is sure to spark new internal ethnic tensions by a Kremlin propagandist. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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1
The Butler Boomerang: How American Empire Stopped American Fascism
1:33:18
1:33:18
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1:33:18Hello again everyone. We have a new, special episode of History Impossible for all of you in which we examine a less-known moment of American imperialism, as well as the downstream effects it seemed to have during the world’s authoritarian moment of the 1930s. This is adapted from an academic paper I wrote in graduate school that I previously put o…
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Part 2 of my backlog clearing. This time, about how things have really begin to change with the operation spiderweb. More and more Z-authors have openly started to criticize not only some 'corrupt officers' but now are blaming the system itself. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo…
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Part 1 of clearing my backlog and talking about some important Russian state matters that I think you should know about. Also, I respond (shortly) to the most urgent events that have happened recently. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Ballad of a Soldier (Grigori Chukhrai; 1959)
2:19:40
2:19:40
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2:19:40Matthew Chadourne, stand-up comedian, executive producer and creative director of the Oxford Comedy Festival, and co-host of the Saint Misbehavin' podcast joins host Ally Pitts to discuss this understated Oscar and Bafta-winning classic by Ukrainian-born World War II veteran Grigori Chukhrai. Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode: https://oxfor…
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Operation "Spiderweb" hut vatniks more than usual - and some showed the very basics of analytical powers. However, I'd say that this is just a prelude. The main wave of utter lack of faith in Putin is still in the future. That much is unavoidable. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …
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Russian official propaganda in the person of Margarita Simonyan threaten to blow up Berlin yet again. Vatniks don't even pretend that anything of the sort could actually happen, while, as usual, complaining about how in Russia, anything that can get stolen, will. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See ac…
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Vatniks, more miserable than usual. Girkin's reached a new low, Russian government tirelessly working to put a stop to any Z-donations for the front and the economy...well, now even the openly pro-kremlin media is becoming concerned. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor…
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Please note: This episode was made before I learned about the influence of Qatar in various parts of the United States (including, apparently, the Oval Office for the mere price of a plane), but honestly, it all just serves to help confirm my overall thesis all the more. World events have a funny way of rendering old analyses irrelevant, but I am s…
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As expected, the negotiations went nowhere. The same trajectory where the Russian economy is heading, with the active help of state duma. Meanwhile, vatniks curse the Chinese drone maker DJI for daring to update their product line. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa…
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1
NEWS: Tarkovsky’s Mirror in Oxford, PLUS Soviet cinema at PCC, and Hugo Max silent film screening tour
3:52
3:52
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3:52Host Ally Pitts shares some news about a screening of Andrei Tarkovsky's Mirror that he'll be introducing on Sunday 25th May as part of the Dreamscapes classic season at Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. He also shares news about screenings of Soviet films at the Prince Charles Cinema, and shares details of silent film screenings with live music b…
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Russia's not taking the peace talks seriously - you can easily tell by whom they've sent there, which is not lost on the Z-vatniks as well. Girkin's posted a bunch of new analysis about what's going on in the front, and Russian economists predict further deteoriation of the economy. (Shocking, I know.) Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/t…
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Vatnik mindspace is full with discussions about the peace talks. They know they can't win - yet at the same time, they hate the ceasefire, because it'll make them lose even more.
45:56
45:56
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45:56Vatnik mindspace is full with discussions about the peace talks. One of Girkin's closest buddies, Pavel Gubarev, who used to be the first governor of the so-called DPR has gone completely insane, but even other vatniks now outright admit that a military victory for Russia has become impossible...but they also hate the possibility of a ceasefire. Su…
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It’s technically warm when your house is on fire with The Red Line.
1:21:40
1:21:40
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1:21:40In this episode, I am joined by Michael from The Red Line for an in-depth discussion about the Russian economy. (Or, well, what’s left of it, besides the military.) We talk about who can still make money there, for how long, and what the multiple ‘?????’ stand for, in the vatnik plans for glorious economical supremacy. Support this show http://supp…
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A nice return of our fan favorite segment - Igor Girkin has gotten some free time in his prison cell - and he's been busy writing analysis more than usual. Also, news from the front lines and Putin's actively confusing vatniks. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information…
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I'm back home now, and there's a lot of weird stuff to talk about. Putin's surprise unilateral ceasefire left many vatniks sad and confused - and now we have a whole slew of doomer mentality posts intermixed with praises for North Korea. Also, a bit of Girkin and economy news at the end. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder…
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1
NEWS: Come and See (Elem Klimov; 1985) 40th anniversary and Antifa on Screen season at the UPP in Oxford
6:06
6:06
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6:06Host Ally Pitts highlights the 40th anniversary of Come and See, directed by Elem Klimov, shares news about a season of films on the theme of anti-fascism at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, and brings attention to a couple of other anti-fascist/anti-totalitarian/anti-cult of personality films. Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode: Antif…
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Russia is a failed state. And at this point, vatniks are starting to admit it too. Empires crumble slowly and then...all at once. We're in the "acceleration" period. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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WORLD SHAKESPEARE DAY BONUS: Boris Pasternak, Grand Theft Hamlet, Andrei Tarkovsky, Richard. E. Grant, the 'other' Stratford, and the Bard
11:56
11:56
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11:56Host Ally Pitts discusses the 2024 documentary Grand Theft Hamlet, directed by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, shares how Hamlet became his favourite Shakespeare play, and explores its connection to and influence on two of Russian culture's most famous figures, Boris Pasternak and Andrei Tarkovsky. And he talks about Withnail and I. Again. Not necessar…
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1
Trump 2.0: Making America Progressive Again
57:43
57:43
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57:43The question of who President Donald Trump resembled in history is one that has become almost a cliche, mostly thanks to its ideological Rorschach quality, especially during his first term and in the years leading up to his second. This has become far less of a debate, thanks largely to the man himself actually citing his influences. This was what …
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Russia's now actively trying to interfere in the Baltics again, which has made some people a bit uppity. Thankfully, they continue to be systematically corrupt and incompetent. Oh, and another letter by Igor Girkin. He's awaiting the storm. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor…
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A Russian rapper "Pasha Technic" had a mass funeral in Moscow - and that caused a huge outburst of vatnik tears. Because at the same time, Putin's "New Elite" are thrown aside and literally instructed to kill themselves. Oh, and we also have TWO new Girkin letters. Oh, and here's the Fourth Wall link: https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/ S…
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This time, we're back with the updates from the front. And that goes about as well for Russia at the moment, as their economy. The general theme of this episode is "betrayal" - as Russia will ALWAYS backstab you. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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The Sovereignty Commission & The State of Mississippi
2:25:52
2:25:52
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2:25:52In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Mississippi's state government felt that segregation was threated by Federal encroachment. Segregation was the legal practice of separating blacks and whites in public life in the Deep South of the United States. From 1956 to 1973, the Mississippi State Sovere…
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This episode is dedicated to #FilthyCapitalists section of my Discord server, because from all the news, the investment people need some hugs and reminder that Happiness is Mandatory. Yeah, it’s all economy. It’s bad. Including Russia. Especially Russia. And it actually matters right now. Discord invite link: https://discord.gg/3kS3KpRn Support thi…
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INTERVIEW: Matthew Chadourne of the Oxford Comedy Festival
47:30
47:30
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47:30Matthew Chadourne, stand-up comedian, executive producer and creative director of the Oxford Comedy Festival, and co-host of the Saint Misbehavin' podcast joins host Ally Pitts to talk about his various comedy and movie-related projects. This is designed to serve as an appetizer for an upcoming episode on Grigory Chukrai’s Ballad of a Soldier with …
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Once again, the Moscow Economics Forum is upon us, and there are some truly bizzare speakers. Like Dugin for example. Of course, Girkin's buddies react to this as well and bash the 'evil west', while in Russia itself a realtor from Tomsk has discovered a new method for women to get some quick buck. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theea…
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1
FEED TAKEOVER: Flow (Gints Zilbalodis; 2024) with Kristaps Andrejsons of The Eastern Border
21:05
21:05
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21:05To celebrate the Latvian film Flow winning the best animation category at the 2025 Oscars, Ally Pitts introduces an episode from previous guest Kristaps Andrejsons, which was originally published on his show, The Eastern Border. Links mentioned/alluded to in the episode: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/a-russian-soviet-movie-podcast-594862/episo…
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Ramzan Kadyrov has gotten himself into real trouble with Kremlin. Girkin reacts to the truce at sea and Moscow Patriachate has decided to turn Dota 2 into a true Orthodox game. Also, there's a new poem for you at the end. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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This week, vatniks were busy writing about Russia’s future after the war and how it should function – which is in stark contrast with reality and how this failed state actually functions. We also have a description of how exactly Russian assaults look like. And I might be mistaken here, but a death rate of 179/180 of a squad isn’t really a good thi…
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Diplomacy on the Eastern Border (w/ Kristaps Andrejsons, Jack Johannson, & Zack Twamley)
2:53:19
2:53:19
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2:53:19I was recently invited to join in a panel discussion with three podcasting greats and people I consider friends—that is, The Eastern Border’s Kristaps Andrejsons, the Secret Police podcast’s Jack Johannson, and When Diplomacy Fails podcast’s Zack Twamley. It originally went up on the Eastern Border feed, split into two parts, but Kristaps was kind …
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Part 2 of my discussion with Alex from History Impossible and Jack from Secret Police Podcast. Some deep dives into geopolitics and what would secret services do in a crisis. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Russian economical voes have caught up to it's healthcare industry - abulances are woefully slow and certain meds are unavailable. (MD's listening to this will have a blast.) Also, a long letter from Girkin and the regular vatnik gloom. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…
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Welcome to the...ermm...Orange Border, I suppose. I continue to work here, as the Russian economy is still in the mud - and vatniks are dreading any pause in the war, as they feel that their whole army will collapse. Oh, also at the end, Finns did a funny thing again. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. S…
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A long and complex chat about geopolitics with History Impossible, Secret Police Podcast and When Diplomacy Fails. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1
The Slave Who Would Be a Spy (w/ Isaac Willour)
1:00:49
1:00:49
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1:00:49Slavery is often known as the United States’ original sin, and for good reason. Much of our perceptions of it are informed both by the Civil War’s cause and outcome, and the contradictions—and even moral hypocrisy—that it created with our Founding Fathers’ professed beliefs. Contradiction is the theme not just of the United States’ values and histo…
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The Spirit of the American West (w/ David McGarry)
1:41:48
1:41:48
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1:41:48The American West (or the “Wild West” as it’s still sometimes known) is arguably one of the defining features of the United States’ history and culture, if not the most defining feature. After all, much of the world has the image of the American cowboy (or less often, the American settler) planted firmly in their heads when they think of “Americans…
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