Sean Rameswaram

And then on Tuesday, Trump blamed Ukraine for being invaded by Russia. And then to top it off, on Truth Social yesterday, he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator without elections. Shortly thereafter, on that same website, Trump called himself a king. Totally cool, normal stuff. But you might be old enough to remember the United States being on Ukraine's side of this war.

On Today Explained, we're getting used to this new normal, being BFFs with Russia. And we're going to start with the person Trump has put in charge of U.S. intelligence, a Russia sympathizer with no intelligence experience to speak of, named Tulsi Gabbard.

On Today Explained, we're getting used to this new normal, being BFFs with Russia. And we're going to start with the person Trump has put in charge of U.S. intelligence, a Russia sympathizer with no intelligence experience to speak of, named Tulsi Gabbard.

On Today Explained, we're getting used to this new normal, being BFFs with Russia. And we're going to start with the person Trump has put in charge of U.S. intelligence, a Russia sympathizer with no intelligence experience to speak of, named Tulsi Gabbard.

Vladimir Putin got his start as a spy, and now our top spy in the United States has a soft spot for Vladimir Putin. In fact, some people sincerely believe she's a straight-up Russian operative.

Vladimir Putin got his start as a spy, and now our top spy in the United States has a soft spot for Vladimir Putin. In fact, some people sincerely believe she's a straight-up Russian operative.

Vladimir Putin got his start as a spy, and now our top spy in the United States has a soft spot for Vladimir Putin. In fact, some people sincerely believe she's a straight-up Russian operative.

Steve Kahl is a senior editor at what I'm told is a leading magazine, The Economist, and he's here to help you understand who's just been put in charge of U.S. intelligence and how that might shift the course of U.S. foreign policy.

Steve Kahl is a senior editor at what I'm told is a leading magazine, The Economist, and he's here to help you understand who's just been put in charge of U.S. intelligence and how that might shift the course of U.S. foreign policy.

Steve Kahl is a senior editor at what I'm told is a leading magazine, The Economist, and he's here to help you understand who's just been put in charge of U.S. intelligence and how that might shift the course of U.S. foreign policy.

Good for her. How does she go from becoming a Republican to becoming one of the most important players in our intelligence community, if not the most important player?

Good for her. How does she go from becoming a Republican to becoming one of the most important players in our intelligence community, if not the most important player?

Good for her. How does she go from becoming a Republican to becoming one of the most important players in our intelligence community, if not the most important player?

So those are her first tasks from her boss. But obviously a big part of her job will be countering U.S. adversaries. China comes to mind. Russia historically would have come to mind. But what does putting Tulsi Gabbard in charge of our national intelligence say about Russia? where we're heading with Russia and about what Trump wants to accomplish with Russia.

So those are her first tasks from her boss. But obviously a big part of her job will be countering U.S. adversaries. China comes to mind. Russia historically would have come to mind. But what does putting Tulsi Gabbard in charge of our national intelligence say about Russia? where we're heading with Russia and about what Trump wants to accomplish with Russia.

So those are her first tasks from her boss. But obviously a big part of her job will be countering U.S. adversaries. China comes to mind. Russia historically would have come to mind. But what does putting Tulsi Gabbard in charge of our national intelligence say about Russia? where we're heading with Russia and about what Trump wants to accomplish with Russia.

Steve Call, Economist.com. Whatever you want, Vladimir. Ahead on Today Explained. Hello, podcast listeners. I'm Sean Romsom here from the Today Explained show, and I've got some news you can use. We're taking Vox Media podcasts on the road and heading back to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Festival.

Steve Call, Economist.com. Whatever you want, Vladimir. Ahead on Today Explained. Hello, podcast listeners. I'm Sean Romsom here from the Today Explained show, and I've got some news you can use. We're taking Vox Media podcasts on the road and heading back to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Festival.

Steve Call, Economist.com. Whatever you want, Vladimir. Ahead on Today Explained. Hello, podcast listeners. I'm Sean Romsom here from the Today Explained show, and I've got some news you can use. We're taking Vox Media podcasts on the road and heading back to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Festival.

March 8th through 10th, we'll be doing special live episodes of hit shows, including our show, Today Explained. Where should we begin? With Esther Perel. Pivot.com. A touch more with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. Not just football with Cam Hayward. And more presented by Smartsheet. The Vox Media podcast stage at South by Southwest is open to all South by Southwest badge holders.