Mikhail Zygar

Mikhail Zygar is a journalist, historian, and best-selling author, known for his work on Russian politics, propaganda, and authoritarianism. He was the founding editor-in-chief of TV Rain (Dozhd), Russia’s only independent news television channel, which became a critical voice against state censorship until he was forced into exile.   Zygar is the author of several internationally acclaimed books, including "All the Kremlin’s Men," a best-seller that provides an insider’s account of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle; "The Empire Must Die," a deeply researched narrative on the fall of the Russian Empire and the revolutionary forces of the early 20th century; and "War and Punishment," which was named one of The New Yorker’s best nonfiction books of 2023. His books have been translated into multiple languages and are widely used in academic and journalistic discussions on Russia.   Zygar is a leading commentator on Russian affairs, regularly contributing op-eds to The New York Times, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, Foreign Affairs, and The Washington Post. He is also a frequent guest on CNN, providing expert analysis on Russia and global politics. In 2018, he was a TED Fellow and delivered a TED Talk on history, propaganda, and disinformation.   He has lectured at leading universities, including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Georgetown, and Stanford. In 2024, he taught at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, and in 2025, at Columbia University.