He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past. It's a lesson Vladimir Putin understands well. And one he is putting into practice as we speak.
This week, Putin met in the Kremlin with leading Russian historians to offer some friendly guidance on how Russia's past should be represented.
Putin has taken quite an interest in history of late. And this interest has ominous overtones for Russia's present -- and its future.
On the latest "Power Vertical Podcast," we look at Putin's revision of history and its implications.
Joining me are Rim Gilfanov, a historian who is also director of RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service; Nina Khrushcheva, a professor at the New School and author of the book "The Lost Khrushchev: A Journey into the Gulag of the Russian Mind"; and Ola Cichowlas, a journalist covering Russia whose work has appeared in "The New Republic," "Foreign Policy," and "Politico."
Enjoy...
Listen to or download the podcast above or subscribe to "The Power Vertical Podcast" on iTunes.
