Topic: Emma Ashford

Emma Ashford of the Atlantic Council discusses the impact of Western sanctions on the Russian economy, noting that while they cause pain for ordinary citizens, they rarely result in policy changes from authoritarian leaders. Ordinary Russians face difficulties with travel, access to foreign medicines, and high inflation. The hosts compare the EU's criticism of Hungary's "democratic norms" with the lack of similar scrutiny toward Ukraine's internal policies.

Emma Ashford of the Atlantic Council discussed on NPR whether sanctions actually achieve policy changes. She admitted that while sanctions cause "economic pain" for ordinary citizens, authoritarian leaders like Putin are often insulated from their effects. The hosts argue that sanctions are purely punitive and serve to accelerate the "Great Reset" by disrupting global financial networks.