‘We should not consider Wagner as a traditional mercenary group, but more as a powerful weapon used by Russia and we should all feel threatened by its expansion because it’s a rising global threat’ -Nathalia Dukhan on the threat posed by the Wagner Group

In the latest episode of the Sanctions Space Podcast, Justine is joined by Nathalia Dukhan, Senior Investigator at The Sentry, and Naureen Chowdhury Fink, Executive Director of the Soufan Center. Their discussion takes a closer look at the Wagner Group, including how it contributes to regional insecurity and instability, its level of support and ongoing relationship with the Russian government, and how it uses gold, diamonds and other minerals to self-finance and evade sanctions. They also discuss the financial tools available to counter the Wagner Group, including financial sanctions and the possibility of designating Wagner as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Nathalia Dukhan is a Senior Investigator at The Sentry, who works on the Central African Republic with a focus on the economic and financial drivers of sectarian violence. Nathalia, with last episode’s guest Justyna Gudzowska, recently published a Politico Opinion. Read that here: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/27/russia-wagner-ukraine-biden-terrorist-organization-00079799

Naureen Chowdhury Fink is the Executive Director of The Soufan Center. She previously served Senior Policy Adviser on Counterterrorism and Sanctions at the United Kingdom’s Mission to the United Nations, leading representation and negotiations in the Security Council and General Assembly. Prior to that, she has worked with UN Women and the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). Read more here: https://thesoufancenter.org/team/naureen-chowdhury-fink/