#028 - Russia's Borderlands with Howard Amos

What can the experiences of ordinary Russians reveal about the country’s imperial past and contemporary identity?

In this episode of The Long View, Kennan Institute Director Michael Kimmage and Maria Lipman speak with journalist and author Howard Amos about his book, Russia Starts Here: Real Lives in the Ruins of Empire.

Drawing on his reporting and personal connections to the Pskov region, Amos explores Russia beyond its major political and cultural centers, examining the lives of individuals shaped by the collapse of the Soviet Union, the legacies of empire, and decades of political and social transformation.

The conversation considers the influence of historical memory on Russian identity, the contrasting realities of everyday life, and the importance of regional perspectives for understanding Russia’s political trajectory and relationship with the wider world.

By looking beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, Amos offers a more nuanced understanding of Russian society and the historical forces that continue to shape it.

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