Episode 6. The Empire Report: Yaroslav Trofimov on Ukraine, the Middle East, Books authored and the Grand Arc of History

In this riveting episode of Geopulse, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Yaroslav Trofimov joins host Tamim Asey for an extraordinary journey through the frontlines of history, empire and global upheaval.From the trenches of Ukraine to the deserts of the Middle East, Trofimov’s reporting has captured the pulse of collapsing regimes, rising authoritarian powers, and the unfinished wars that continue to shape our world. We dive into his latest book, Our Enemies Will Vanish, alongside his earlier works The Siege of Mecca and Faith at War, to trace the fault lines of global power and the human stories behind them.Together, they explore:•Why Putin invaded Ukraine—and what it reveals about modern imperial ambition and miscalculation.•The haunting parallels between Kabul and Kyiv, Mosul and Mariupol.•Ukraine’s transformation into a laboratory of military-tech innovation and its rise as a potential global tech superpower.•America’s retreat from global leadership and its ripple effects across regions.•The role of memory, myth, and narrative in shaping war and resistance.•How the grand arc of history is bending—toward what, and for whom?This is not just a podcast episode—it’s a geopolitical briefing from one of the most seasoned chroniclers of war, power and global power politics.Tune in to hear Yaroslav Trofimov decode the past—and warn us about what comes next.