About this episode

M. Gessen explores the troubling case of their cousin Allen, who is arrested for attempting to murder his ex-wife.

The New York Times writer M. Gessen is widely known for their award-winning writing about totalitarianism, terrorism and the erosion of human rights. Now, M. is examining a more personal target: their least favorite cousin, Allen. For decades, they saw Allen as a fool, a pompous ‘international businessman’ who bragged about shady deals. But then Allen is arrested for trying to put a hit out on his ex-wife, and M. cannot wrap their head around the news. He’s just an idiot, right? Not a would-be murderer?

People in this episode

Host: M. Gessen

Topics covered

• totalitarianism
• terrorism
• human rights
• family dynamics
• crime

Keywords

• M. Gessen
• Allen
• totalitarianism
• crime
• human rights
• family

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times

More episodes of The Idiot

• BONUS | M. Gessen on "The Opinions" · April 16, 2026 · 37 min
• Chapter 1 · March 25, 2026 · 22 min

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