157 episodes

Russia, behind the headlines as well as in the shadows. This podcast is the audio counterpart to Mark Galeotti's blog of the same name, a place where "one of the most informed and provocative voices on modern Russia", can talk about Russia historical and (more often) contemporary, discuss new books and research, and sometimes talk to other Russia-watchers. If you'd like to keep the podcast coming and generally support my work, or want to ask questions or suggest topics for me to cover, do please contribute to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/InMoscowsShadowsThe podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

In Moscow's Shadows Mark Galeotti

    • News
    • 4.7 • 42 Ratings

Russia, behind the headlines as well as in the shadows. This podcast is the audio counterpart to Mark Galeotti's blog of the same name, a place where "one of the most informed and provocative voices on modern Russia", can talk about Russia historical and (more often) contemporary, discuss new books and research, and sometimes talk to other Russia-watchers. If you'd like to keep the podcast coming and generally support my work, or want to ask questions or suggest topics for me to cover, do please contribute to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/InMoscowsShadowsThe podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    In Moscow's Shadows 139: Why Even Sham Elections Can Matter

    In Moscow's Shadows 139: Why Even Sham Elections Can Matter

    Russia's presidential elections are coming to a close, and while Putin's landslide victory is a foregone conclusion in light of the manipulation of the process (I write about that here), that doesn't mean these elections don't matter. I discuss the things I'll be looking for, ranging from how the votes are allocated, through the potential for a cabinet reshuffle, to how this fits into wider political processes, from the cultivation of a new loyalist elite to the risk of a further mobilisation of soldiers for Ukraine.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 
    Support the show

    • 55 min
    In Moscow's Shadows 138: Gangster Geopolitics

    In Moscow's Shadows 138: Gangster Geopolitics

    Are we failing properly to consider the danger as the Kremlin turns to Russian-based organised crime groups abroad to make up for the expulsion of so many of its spies abroad and the constraints of the sanctions regime? I think so -- and here I explain why.

    The ECFR Crimintern report I mention is here, and Rebellion as Racket, for the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime is here.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 



    Support the show

    • 54 min
    In Moscow's Shadows 137: They Pretend To Lead Us, We Pretend To Believe

    In Moscow's Shadows 137: They Pretend To Lead Us, We Pretend To Believe

    An episode, I admit, on the nerdier end of the spectrum, as I dig into Putin's latest State of the Union, both for the detail and also for three big take-aways: that this was a stealth stump speech, that it left unanswered how (or if) the ambitious 6-year plan would be funded, and that it marks a new stage in Putin's Sovietisation.

    My earlier video on the speech is here.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 
    Support the show

    • 50 min
    In Moscow's Shadows 136: Avenging Navalny

    In Moscow's Shadows 136: Avenging Navalny

    Avenging may not be quite the right word, but what can the West do to punish the Kremlin for Navalny's death and furthering his cause in ways worthy of him? I set out some practical proposals.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 
    Support the show

    • 41 min
    In Moscow's Shadows 135: Navalny in the late Soviet Union

    In Moscow's Shadows 135: Navalny in the late Soviet Union

    Well, not really, but how Navalny's awful death helps illustrate how late Putinism in its 'banana republic' phase comes to resemble the later Soviet era -- and what this may mean for its future.

    My video on Navalny is here and Sunday Times article is here. The Moskovsky  Komsomolets article I cite is here.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 
    Support the show

    • 1 hr 1 min
    In Moscow's Shadows 134: Kaliningrad still at the Crossroads

    In Moscow's Shadows 134: Kaliningrad still at the Crossroads

    Is the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad a dangerous Russian bastion threatening the West, a point of vulnerability for Moscow, or a potential point of reconnection with Europe? How about a mix of all three -- and also an example of how even figures from a new 'Putin generation' politician can be technocrats rather than zealots.

    In the second half, a brief rumination about how  simulation exercises like Conducttr's recent Kaliningrad Crucible can help if not prediction, at least analysis.

    The Tucker Carlon-Putin interview article in the Sunday Times is here, and my video commentary is here.

    Materials on the Kaliningrad Crucible crisis sim are here.

    The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.

    You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. 


    Support the show

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
42 Ratings

42 Ratings

Timthepianoman ,

How does he know all this?

Listening to Mark Galeotti informs and entertains at the and time. His use of the English language and his fluid mind keep the listener eager for the next word. He brings the inner workings of the Russian Federation to life in a way that no one else seems to be able to do. It’s as if he knows the people he is talking about. I find myself worrying a bit for his safety given that he is essentially letting another cat out of Putin’s bag every time he does a podcast. Maybe Putin secretly admires him, and needs someone as literate as Galeotti to act as his diarist. One day when the whole thing collapses it could be Galeotti writing the definitive account of the Rise and Fall of the Russian Federation. I will read it.

Initialsbc ,

Informative and fascinating

This is a great way to learn about modern Russia; an unbias, analytical show with a great host.

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