Shortly after taking power in Moscow, Vladimir Putin began consolidating his authority over the Russian intelligence services that had long been deeply embedded in Russian and Soviet politics and a pervasive influence in society. The degree to which he succeeded was striking, ultimately transforming them into organizational assets that remained effective at what they did but were entirely loyal to him. This episode features a discussion with former CIA senior operations officer Sean Wiswesser. The author of Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War, he shares his insights on Russian intelligence services’ role in pursuing Moscow’s objectives around the world—from the war in Ukraine to influence operations in Africa and the Middle East to information campaigns intended to subvert Western democracies.

The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974.