Who are the people keeping Vladimir Putin in power? Much is made of the oligarchs and their billions of dollars. Their support has been vital to keeping Putin financed. But how is his influence protected? This is now down to his Saint Petersburg friends: a collection of "hard men" who are in positions of power that they own to Putin. If the Russian leader were to be deposed – or even more unlikely – democratically voted out of power, these strongmen would do everything possible to stop that. Our guests discuss how democracy, freedom and the truth are quashed in Russia today.

Tirana Hassan, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch, which is publishing its annual report this week. Although the report reveals the grim picture of a world shattered by multiple crises, our guest believes the attacks carried out against democratic institutions, such as in Brazil, show the "desperation of autocrats, despots and strongmen who are beginning to lose power", adding that "there are cracks in the autocratic armour of the Chinese government".