we find russia's actions mistious. why would president vladimir putin try to push the country on russia's southern border to the verge of civil war. i write in my book that a lot of russian action is confusing. based on practical reasons. the logic ear is that vladimir putin makes decisions not in the interests of his people but he didn't want ukraine to join the west. he was willing to do everything possible to do that. he's not using force now, but the russian prime minister dmitry med ef ef is calling new leaders coming to power. they are trying to undermine the pro western leaders and act according to their old play book. hopefully there's a window for the new authorities to change what has been going on in ukraine. >> the book is "russians: the people behind the power." good to have you on the show. >> protests offend in venezuela's capital caracas after calls from the opposition leader to keep the protests peaceful. at least 13 died since the widespread protests began two weeks ago against crime, corruption, high