Podcast Title: The Majority Report with Sam Seder
Host: Sam Seder
Episode: 3542 - Accountability for Gaza, Putin's End Game
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Guests: Matt Duss (Center for International Policy), Candace Rondeau (Senior Director of Future Frontlines and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University)

Introduction

In Episode 3542 of The Majority Report with Sam Seder, host Sam Seder delves into pressing global and domestic issues with insightful guests Matt Duss and Candace Rondeau. The episode focuses on two main topics: the accountability of the Biden administration concerning the Gaza conflict and an in-depth analysis of Vladimir Putin's strategic objectives amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Accountability for Gaza

Discussion with Matt Duss

Matt Duss, Executive Vice President for the Center for International Policy and co-host of the Undiplomatic Pod, provides a critical examination of the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza situation. The conversation highlights the complex interplay between U.S. foreign policy, Israeli actions, and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

• Biden Administration's Role:
  Duss criticizes President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their perceived inaction and insufficient accountability regarding the escalating violence in Gaza. He emphasizes that the U.S. has continued to supply arms to Israel despite clear indications of violations of international law.

  "Their decision was just, all right, Biden has laid down the law. He will not stop supplying arms to Israel. We will find other ways to maybe work within the boundaries that Biden has set." (25:31)

• Israeli Leadership Under Netanyahu:
  The discussion points to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership as a significant factor exacerbating the conflict. Netanyahu's political motivations and ongoing legal troubles are cited as reasons for his aggressive stance in Gaza.

  "Netanyahu was making decisions based on his own personal political fortunes. He understood that if the war ends, he would face a reckoning." (25:31)

• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza:
  Duss sheds light on the formation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, questioning its true intent and suggesting it serves as a tool for furthering the displacement and suffering of Palestinian civilians.

  "The Gaza Humanitarian foundation is not about providing aid. It's about using aid as a weapon, denying aid over here and providing aid over there to get people to move from here to there." (27:53)

• Call for Accountability:
  Emphasizing the need for genuine accountability, Duss argues that officials involved in the current crisis should face prosecution to restore trust in democratic institutions.

  "Accountability, action, prosecution, indictments for those who are responsible for trying to seal our democracy is essential for us to make sure that this never happens to our country again." (35:04)

Putin's End Game

Conversation with Candace Rondeau

Candace Rondeau, author of Putin's Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia's Collapse into Mercenary Chaos, offers a comprehensive analysis of Russia's strategies under Vladimir Putin amid the protracted conflict with Ukraine.

• Russia-Ukraine Conflict Overview:
  Rondeau discusses the prolonged nature of the war, highlighting Ukraine's resilience and Putin's incremental territorial gains. She underscores the existential nature of the conflict for Ukraine and the strategic objectives Putin aims to achieve.

  "Putin is determined to press whatever little advantage Russian troops have in the east... the struggle is existential for a lot of Ukrainians." (49:10)

• Wagner Group's Role:
  Delving into the activities of the Wagner Group, Rondeau explains its transformation into a tool for Russia's covert operations, including sabotage and espionage across Europe.

  "The Wagner Group brand is still very much alive and still deployed... they pay in crypto." (60:50)

• Impact of Sanctions and Economic Strain:
  The discussion covers the effectiveness of international sanctions on Russia, noting the growing economic strain and its potential to weaken Putin's regime.

  "These sanctions are starting to bite, are starting to have an effect. There was a meeting just last month involving Russia's economists... 21% inflation, nobody can sustain that." (55:36)

• Alliances and Geopolitical Shifts:
  Rondeau highlights the deepening ties between Russia and China, emphasizing the strategic challenges this poses to Western alliances and global stability.

  "The way Washington's foreign policy establishment has thought about the war is that you can divide [Russia and China]... it's not going to work for so many different reasons." (66:45)

• Domestic Russian Politics and Propaganda:
  She explores how Putin's regime utilizes propaganda to sustain support domestically, framing the conflict as a battle against the West and manipulating public perception to justify military actions.

  "This is 100% a war against the west and the United States first... It's really challenging for Russians to look across the border and not see a version of ourselves." (64:44)

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Failure of U.S. Foreign Policy:
  Both guests critique the Biden administration's foreign policy, arguing that a lack of accountability and decisive action has contributed to ongoing humanitarian crises and emboldened adversarial leaders.

• Netanyahu's Political Maneuvering:
  Netanyahu's prioritization of personal political gain over ethical governance is identified as a driving force behind the intensified Gaza conflict, exacerbating regional instability.

• Wagner Group as a Proxy Force:
  The Wagner Group's evolution into a state-backed proxy for Russia underscores the complexities of modern hybrid warfare, blurring lines between state and non-state actors.

• Importance of Genuine Accountability:
  Emphasizing the necessity for real accountability, the episode calls for legal and political repercussions for officials complicit in perpetuating conflicts and undermining democratic principles.

• Geopolitical Realignments:
  The strengthening alliance between Russia and China poses significant challenges to Western foreign policy, necessitating a reevaluation of strategic alliances and defense mechanisms.

Notable Quotes

• Sam Ceder on Deportation Case:

  "This is just appalling." (04:07)

• Matt Duss on Disinformation:

  "No. Yeah, too many Palestinians have died. Which is a formulation I cannot stand." (39:47)

• Candace Rondeau on Wagner Group's Activities:

  "They pay in crypto." (60:50)

• Russell Vogt on Biden's Foreign Policy:

  "He clearly bears enormous responsibility here." (35:04)

Conclusion

Episode 3542 of The Majority Report with Sam Seder provides a critical examination of pivotal global issues, emphasizing the need for accountability in U.S. foreign policy and offering a deep dive into Russia's strategic maneuvers under Vladimir Putin. Through informed discussions with Matt Duss and Candace Rondeau, the episode underscores the complexities of international relations, the ramifications of political leadership, and the enduring impact of proxy conflicts on global stability.