The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: Redoubled agents
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Feb 29, 2024 
Shoshank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, discusses the surprising resilience of Russian intelligence despite recent failures. He sheds light on how Russian tactics are evolving amidst the Ukraine conflict. Duncan Weldon analyzes the controversial Saudi investment in Newcastle United, delving into the mixed feelings of fans and the moral dilemmas tied to foreign ownership. They explore whether a commodities supercycle is on the horizon, factoring in the growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy.
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Past Russian Intelligence Blunders
- Shashank Joshi cites the Salisbury Cathedral spire anecdote as an example of past Russian intelligence blunders.
- He also mentions the Novichok attack on Alexei Navalny and the misjudgment of the Ukraine invasion.
Russian Intelligence Resurgence
- Russian intelligence agencies are reforming and improving their methods after several public failures.
- These changes involve personnel, structure, and tradecraft adjustments for better coordination and impact measurement.
Evolving Russian Tactics
- Russia's reformed intelligence operations aim for more focused disinformation campaigns.
- They target societal divisions, exemplified by Moldova's EU membership bid, and leverage groups like the Wagner Group in Africa.