Joan Esposito is joined by Tamar Jacoby, director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute and contributor to Washington Monthly; her latest articles are "The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine" and "Europe Struggles to Respond to Russian Attacks."

The discussion examined Russia’s escalating hybrid war in Europe and the implications for Ukraine, NATO, and Western deterrence. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Jacoby described roughly 400 to 450 suspected Russian attacks in Europe over four years, including sabotage, arson, cyberattacks, drone activity, and attempted assassinations.
- European governments are improving information sharing, monitoring, patrols, and defensive infrastructure, but largely avoid retaliation.
- Russia is making limited progress on the front but has intensified its air campaign with faster, higher-flying drones and attacks on Ukraine’s power, water, and sewage systems.
- Ukraine has damaged approximately 45 percent of Russia’s oil-refining capacity, while Russia continues receiving support, including drone engines, from China.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://www.progressivepolicy.org/people/tamar-jacoby/">Tamar Jacoby</a>, director of the <a href="https://www.progressivepolicy.org/project/new-ukraine-project/">New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute</a> and contributor to Washington Monthly; her latest articles are "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/02/the-new-normal-in-kyiv-ukraine/">The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine</a>" and "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/14/europe-russia-hybrid-attacks/">Europe Struggles to Respond to Russian Attacks</a>."
The discussion examined Russia&rsquo;s escalating hybrid war in Europe and the implications for Ukraine, NATO, and Western deterrence. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Jacoby described roughly 400 to 450 suspected Russian attacks in Europe over four years, including sabotage, arson, cyberattacks, drone activity, and attempted assassinations. - European governments are improving information sharing, monitoring, patrols, and defensive infrastructure, but largely avoid retaliation. - Russia is making limited progress on the front but has intensified its air campaign with faster, higher-flying drones and attacks on Ukraine&rsquo;s power, water, and sewage systems. - Ukraine has damaged approximately 45 percent of Russia&rsquo;s oil-refining capacity, while Russia continues receiving support, including drone engines, from China.
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. &nbsp;
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;