Why Russia Released an American Prisoner; How a Viral Attack Is Rattling an Ohio Race

Here's the Scoop · Oct 21, 2026 · 24m

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” on Wednesday, after Russia released a retired American teacher who’s been in custody since 2022. John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, breaks down whether this really was a gesture of good faith by Putin and how this softening of U.S.-Russia relations could affect the war in Ukraine.

Next, the race for governor in Ohio is getting personal. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed responsibility for an attack ad against his opponent…