As a summer bonus, we share a new podcast created by the producers of America Abroad and the Center for a New American Security. Hosted by CNAS Middle East Program Director Ilan Goldenberg, Stories from the Backchannel invites listeners into the room as government officials, and world leaders put aside niceties in favor of candid discussions, and hard-nosed negotiations.

In this first episode, Unavoidable Russia, CNAS CEO Victoria Nuland recounts her time as one of America’s leading diplomats on Russia.