Tug of War
CNN
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In a special ongoing season, CNN reporters take us on-the-ground in Ukraine to document Russia’s invasion, the escalating conflict, and what it means for the rest of the world.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
Jun 8, 2022
100 Days Later, Ukraine’s Fight Continues
He was in Kyiv at the very start of the invasion - CNN Senior International correspondent Matthew Chance returns to find a city experiencing an uneasy calm. Meanwhile, brutal fighting continues in the South and East as the Ukrainians go on a counter-offensive, hoping to retake Russian-occupied territory. We examine what life is like for everyday Ukrainians who have returned to horror and look at what comes next as the conflict drags on.
Recorded on June 3, 2022.
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Jun 1, 2022
Inside the Race to Save Ukraine’s Greatest Treasures
Ukrainian officials claim Russia has targeted numerous cultural and historical sites during its assault on the country. In response, artists and historians have been racing to save key artifacts in an effort to preserve Ukrainian culture. CNN Style Global Editor Fiona Sinclair Scott has the story of one such artist and examines how some Ukrainian residents have returned to the ballet in hopes of a more normal night out.
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Recorded on May 31, 2022.
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May 25, 2022
Far From Home, Bringing Americans Back
Although US-Russia tensions have been at an all-time high, the two countries have been staying in touch on another issue. Trevor Reed, an American imprisoned in Russian territory has finally returned home after nearly 3 years and intense negotiation between the two countries. His fate is different from fellow Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, along with others imprisoned in multiple countries around the world. CNN’s Jake Tapper talks about his exclusive interview with Reed, and CNN State Department Producer Jennifer Hansler explains what Reed’s prisoner swap could mean for other Americans detained abroad.
Recorded on May 24, 2022.
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May 18, 2022
How Putin’s Plan to Splinter NATO Backfired
After decades of neutrality, Finland and Sweden are set to file applications to join NATO, undermining Russian president Vladimir Putin’s aim of splintering the military alliance. CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson traces how the war in Ukraine convinced the Finnish government to take this step and examines how the world order could be impacted if other European countries follow their lead.
Recorded on May 16, 2022.
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May 11, 2022
How Russia’s War is Straining the Global Economy
Russia’s war on Ukraine is causing a global scramble for essential commodities such as wheat, natural gas, and sunflower oil. But how are shortages on these goods resulting in an export ban on palm oil in Indonesia and skyrocketing dairy prices in the UK? CNN Business Senior Writer Julia Horowitz talks us through the economic domino effect rocking global markets and the civil unrest it could spark.
Recorded on May 10, 2022.
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May 4, 2022
Inside the Escape from Mariupol
Before the war, Mariupol was a peaceful port town. Now, it’s the focal point of the biggest land war in Europe since 1945. CNN’s International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh spoke to some evacuated residents who have spent the last two months holed up deep beneath a local steel plant - he tells us about their journey, what life is like for those who remain in Mariupol and why future evacuations may be hard to come by.
Recorded on May 3, 2022.
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Apr 27, 2022
Terror and Tulips in Kharkiv
Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, has been a strategic target since the earliest days of Russia’s invasion. Amidst constant bombardment and heavy losses, residents fear the worst could be yet to come should their city be encircled by Russian forces. CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward has seen both the rubble and the heroism on the ground in Kharkiv. She takes us inside the city to examine Russia’s gruesome tactics and the defiance of everyday Ukrainians refusing to abandon their homes and their countrymen.
Recorded on April 26, 2022.
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Apr 24, 2022
Behind The Scenes With “Navalny” Director Daniel Roher
The new CNN Films documentary “Navalny” chronicles the aftermath of top Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s poisoning, allegedly carried out by Russian agents (a charge the Kremlin denies). We talk with the film’s director, Daniel Roher, about how he was able to obtain intimate access to Navalny and his family, why it’s important to him for Russians to see the movie and what Putin’s response to Navalny can tell us about his invasion of Ukraine.
Recorded on April 20, 2022.
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Apr 20, 2022
Putin’s "Yes Men"
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Western allies were quick to slap sanctions on the wealthy oligarchs closely aligned with Vladimir Putin. But are they having an impact? CNN Contributor and former CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty examines who is in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, how they work hand-in-hand with the Kremlin, and why Russia is so desperate for anything it can call a “victory” on the battlefield.
Recorded on Tuesday, April 19 2022
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Apr 17, 2022
Why Genocide is More Than Just a Label
Last week, President Joe Biden described the atrocities being discovered in Ukraine as "genocide" for the first time. CNN Chief International Investigative Correspondent Nima Elbagir explains the legal ramifications around the label and also examines how Russian tactics compare to other conflicts she’s covered around the world.
This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.
Recorded on April 15, 2022.
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Apr 13, 2022
“The definition of victory has changed.”
After suffering a series of failures in the north of Ukraine around Kyiv, Russia is set to shift its focus to the east. There are fears that the assault could be even more relentless and indiscriminate as Vladimir Putin searches for some sort of victory. CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen examines why Putin is so focused on this area, what dangers await residents coming back to their homes near Kyiv, and how everyday Ukrainians are helping to document alleged war crimes in real time.
This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.
Recorded on April 12, 2022.
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Apr 10, 2022
Brutality, Caught on Tape
As Russia leaves behind a trail of dead civilians in Ukraine, the global outrage grows louder. Russian propaganda tries to hide the horrors of bombed cities and potential war crimes by Russian soldiers, but Ukrainian security services have released radio intercepts that counter that narrative. CNN Senior International Correspondent Matthew Chance discusses how Russian soldiers are communicating while on the ground in Ukraine, Putin’s inner circle of power and how Russia’s propaganda machine is keeping the Kremlin afloat.
Recorded on April 8, 2022.
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Apr 6, 2022
Unearthing the Horror in Bucha
For the past few days, the world has reacted in horror to the shocking images coming out of Bucha, Ukraine: dead civilian bodies in the streets, many with hands tied, and mass graves containing hundreds of unarmed people. Some believe the atrocities may even be a tipping point in the conflict with Russia. After visiting Bucha, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned peace talks with Russia would be difficult. CNN international correspondent Phil Black talks about why such brutality is part of Russia’s playbook, the response from the West, and how this could impact future negotiations.
This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.
Recorded on April 5, 2022.
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Apr 3, 2022
Escape from Mariupol
The city of Mariupol has been under near-constant bombardment since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Anyone still left in the crumbling city has been dealing with no electricity and a lack of food for weeks. In this episode, we catch up with CNN Senior International Correspondent Ivan Watson, who has been talking to people who have made the dangerous journey out of Mariupol. We hear their stories and examine how the invasion has strained relations between Ukrainians and people they know in Russia.
This episode contains graphic descriptions of war.
Recorded on March 31, 2022.
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Mar 30, 2022
Is Russia Shifting Strategy?
After the latest round of in-person talks between Ukraine and Russia, Moscow said it would “drastically reduce” military activity around two major Ukrainian cities. However, many experts remain skeptical about this strategy shift and believe peace could still be a long way off. CNN Senior National Security Correspondent Alex Marquardt lays out what both sides are looking for in negotiations and examines President Biden’s unscripted comments about regime change in Russia. He also tells us about a Ukrainian hotline being used by Russian families trying to locate their loved ones on the battlefield.
Recorded on March 29, 2022.
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Mar 27, 2022
Christiane Amanpour on Red Lines and War Crimes
Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine has left widespread destruction in some of the country’s major cities. But as Ukrainians fight back, there are fears that Vladimir Putin could escalate the conflict by using even deadlier weapons. In this episode, CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour talks about why Vladimir Putin’s strategy isn’t working as well as he had hoped. She also examines the war crimes allegations leveled against Putin and breaks down how battlefield losses could backfire in Moscow.
Recorded on March 25, 2022.
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Mar 23, 2022
Can NATO End This War?
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches its one-month mark, President Biden joins other world leaders in Brussels, Belgium for a NATO summit where he hopes to sustain the Western alliance. The stakes are high, as the world will be watching closely and Ukraine is especially eager to know how far the alliance will go to deter Putin's advance. CNN’s White House reporter Natasha Bertrand has been reporting from NATO headquarters in Belgium and will discuss what to expect from Biden’s visit, how drones may complicate his response, and what a possible stalemate in Ukraine might mean for the rest of Europe.
Recorded on March 22, 2022.
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Mar 20, 2022
Why is Swan Lake Playing on Russian TV?
As Russia’s unprovoked destruction and targeting of civilians wreaks havoc across Ukraine, Russian citizens have been hearing a different story entirely. That’s because Putin is also waging a war on his own people through a merciless effort to crack down on independent media and dissent. Hear how one TV station used a ballet to make a point. Anderson Cooper talks to CNN’s International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson about the current state of Russian media, disinformation, and what 30 years of reporting on Russia has led him to believe about Putin’s next moves.
Recorded on March 17, 2022.
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Mar 16, 2022
What Happens to the Millions Who Are Fleeing Ukraine?
More than 3 million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia’s invasion. Many are escaping though Poland, which borders the west of Ukraine. Anderson Cooper talks to CNN’s Sara Sidner who has been reporting from the region for the past several weeks. They discuss what she’s witnessed there — from the incredible generosity of the Polish people to blatant discrimination when it comes to people of color trying to reach safety to the weaponization of the term “fake news”.
Interview recorded on March 11, 2022.
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Mar 13, 2022
"Russia does wars very differently"
As Russia continues its violent assault on Ukraine, it has also unleashed an assault on the truth. CNN’s Anderson Cooper talks with International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh who has been covering the conflict in southern Ukraine. They discuss the struggles of covering a war when one side is deliberately lying about the reality on the ground and his approach to talking to people experiencing the worst moments of their lives.
Recorded on March 11, 2022.
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Mar 9, 2022
Bearing Witness With Anderson Cooper and Clarissa Ward
CNN reporters in Ukraine have witnessed countless horrors since the Russian invasion began. But they’ve also seen incredible moments of kindness and perseverance from Ukrainians as the war rages on around them. Anderson Cooper and Clarissa Ward, both currently on the ground in Ukraine, discuss what it’s like to bear witness to war, when to keep reporting and when to help the people in front of you, and why they keep coming back to it. Recorded on March 8th, 2022.
This episode contains potentially sensitive content.
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Mar 6, 2022
Inside the Targeted Capital
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already taken an immense human toll. CNN’s Senior International Correspondent Matthew Chance offers an inside look into the devastation and his conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Chance reflects on how this conflict is different than others he’s covered, Zelensky’s decision to remain in Ukraine, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Chance, who is based in Moscow, also wonders what kind of Russia he’ll return to.
Recorded on March 4, 2022.
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Mar 2, 2022
Can the West Stop Russia?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is inspiring unprecedented unity among nations around the world. For the first time in its history, NATO has activated response troops and even historically neutral Sweden is adopting sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence suggests Belarus may soon join Russia’s forces and China has been unwilling to even call the attack an invasion. Jim Sciutto, CNN’s Chief National Security Correspondent, weighs in on the international community’s response to what’s happening in Ukraine and how it could impact our world order. Recorded on March 1, 2022.
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Feb 27, 2022
How Far Will Putin Go?
Why is Russia invading Ukraine right now and how does it figure into Putin’s larger political and military strategy? Clarissa Ward returns to the region to help make sense of the latest developments there and explain just how much is at stake. Recorded on February 26, 2022.
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Dec 1, 2021
Death of a Revolution
Ten years ago, a piece of graffiti sparked an uprising in Syria. Since then, millions of Syrians watched their cities crumble and were forced to flee. Clarissa Ward was there from the beginning, a witness to the courage of the people, and the brutality of the regime. Now, Clarissa asks two Syrian activists: Was it all worth it?
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Nov 17, 2021
Exposing a Sham Election
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has won his fourth consecutive term in an election that many have called a “farce.” CNN International Correspondent Matt Rivers was denied entry when he tried to report on this pivotal moment, but he was still determined to tell the story. In this episode, Matt meets with exiles persecuted in neighboring Costa Rica and has clandestine phone calls with brave citizens in Nicaragua. They told him the same thing: Ortega will stop at nothing to hold on to power.
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Nov 10, 2021
The Generation That Toppled a Dictator
For nearly thirty years, Sudan was ruled by a dictatorship defined by genocide, civil war, and violent suppression. CNN Senior International Correspondent Nima Elbagir saw it firsthand. When she was a teenager, her family was targeted by the regime and fled into self-exile. When a grassroots uprising gained momentum democracy became a tangible possibility. This story of what it takes to topple a dictator features Nima’s family, their newspaper, and a generational battle for freedom, amidst yet another coup.
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Nov 3, 2021
Three-Finger Salute
At the beginning of the year, Myanmar’s future seemed bright. Then one morning in February, the military overthrew the government in a swift coup. What followed was the biggest protest movement in the country’s history. Afterwards, Clarissa Ward was the first international journalist inside Myanmar. Military minders tried to tell her one story, while Myanmar citizens risked their lives to tell her another.
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Oct 27, 2021
Love, Putin
The Kremlin has a long history of alleged poisoning of its opponents. When Alexey Navalny, the head of the Russian opposition, fell mysteriously ill on an airplane, Clarissa Ward wondered if President Vladimir Putin could be behind it, but proving exactly who committed a poisoning can be tricky. Follow her through an investigation that leads to the front door of a Russian agent and hear what Navalny’s poisoning has meant for the future of the opposition.
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Oct 20, 2021
Watching the Taliban Takeover
Clarissa Ward takes you on onto the streets of Afghanistan and into the homes of its citizens as they watch the balance of power start to tip — and the Taliban tries to keep order with truncheons and whips. In this episode, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent, shares firsthand accounts from Afghan citizens who witness the United States military withdrawal - after two decades of war - escalate into the Taliban swiftly toppling the Afghan government watching their twenty years of hard-earned freedoms crumble.
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Oct 6, 2021
Introducing: Tug of War
On Tug of War, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward travels to some of the most volatile corners of the world to document the greatest power struggles of our time. In countries where democracy is in its dying days, Clarissa shares on the ground reports from ordinary citizens who are risking their lives to fight for freedom. Hear a first-hand account from the streets of Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control, meet the daring activist challenging Putin’s political reign in Russia, and learn how organizers in Myanmar use hand gestures to signal solidarity. Tug of War. Stories of resistance from around the world.
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