Economist Podcasts Group dynamics: Wagner in Africa
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Jul 5, 2023 John McDermott, Chief Africa correspondent for The Economist, brings his insights on the Wagner Group's controversial operations in Africa. He discusses the group's dual role as both a paramilitary force and a key player in Russian foreign policy, especially against the backdrop of shifting political climates. African leaders' perspectives on their alliances with Wagner highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. The conversation also touches on the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling and its potential impact on diversity in education.
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Wagner's Dual Role in Africa
- The Wagner Group in Africa acts as both a private military force and an instrument of Russian foreign policy.
- It allows Russia influence without direct accountability, similar to 19th-century colonial enterprises.
Wagner's Business Model
- Wagner's business model has three components: military, economic, and political.
- The military unit provides protection, while also engaging in human rights abuses like massacres and torture.
Political and Economic Operations
- Wagner's political arm spreads disinformation and influences elections to support its clients.
- Economically, it engages in extractive industries such as gold and diamond mining.