Podcast delves into negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, rise of Viktor Zolotov, and tactics of influencing allies. Explore aligning with Kremlin's narratives, navigating Russian influence, and potential rising stars in Putin's Russia.
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Quick takeaways
Recruiting assets for Putin's Russia involves leveraging money, ideology, compromise, and ego through various tactics like bribery and promoting narratives.
Financial incentives, including bribery and support, play a crucial role in influencing political decisions and gaining allies for Putin's Russia.
Putinism lacks a consistent ideology, attracting individuals across the political spectrum by framing Russia as upholding traditional values and countering the West.
Deep dives
The Question of Kremlin's Influence
Many individuals, factions, and countries align themselves with the Kremlin's cause, despite its involvement in the war in Ukraine and propagation of falsehoods. The question of why individuals believe Kremlin's propaganda or align cynically is raised, leading to the analysis of recruiting assets using the acronym MICE: money, ideology, compromise, and ego. Various tactics like bribery, providing aid, and cultivating ideological narratives are explored as ways through which Putin's Russia finds allies abroad.
Influence of Money in Allies Recruitment
Money plays a significant role in recruiting allies for Putin's Russia, with instances of bribery and financial support to politicians and political factions. The podcast discusses examples like the story of media channel Voice of Europe being used to funnel money from a Ukrainian oligarch to European politicians, highlighting the impact of financial incentives on influencing political decisions and actions.
Exploring Ideological Influence
The lack of a single coherent ideology in Putinism is noted, suggesting multiple Putinisms that have evolved over time. The podcast delves into how Russia attracts individuals like ultra-leftists and right-wingers who view Russia as upholding traditional values. It also examines Russia's narrative targeting contrarians, anti-Americans, and non-Western countries, leading them to align with Russia based on perceived ideological connections.
Tactics Involving Compromise
The podcast discusses compromise as a tactic, highlighting the honey trap model and its effectiveness in influencing individuals to align with Russia's interests. Compromise is examined in the context of politicians and countries being dependent on Russia for various reasons, which can make it challenging for them to break away.
Power of Ego in Recruitment
Ego is identified as a powerful tool in recruiting intelligence assets or allies for Russia's information operations. The podcast underscores the importance of flattery and cultivation in influencing individuals, citing examples like the cultivation of Donald Trump and George Galloway by appealing to their egos. The role of ego both on an individual and state level in fostering alliances and garnering support is highlighted.
In the first part, I talk about some of the issues raised by a recent article in Foreign Affairs by Sam Charap and Sergei Radchenko for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia whenever they actually happen.
In the second I dig into the rise and challenges of Viktor Zolotov, head of the National Guard.
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.
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