SpyTalk

Russia’s Dirty Tricks

Mar 10, 2022

Former private mercenary Sean McFate discusses the Ukraine deployment of Russia's paramilitary Wagner Group, while ex-senior CIA ops officer Gregory Sims warns US security officials to expect the unexpected from Vladimir Putin, including big surprises like 9/11. They also discuss the lethal nature of the Wagner Group, the rise of mercenaries in modern warfare, potential risks for Zelensky in Ukraine, lack of weapons caches, threats to information infrastructure, and Russia's cyber threats and escalating tensions.

48:50

Creator website

Episode guests

Sean McFate

Gregory Sims

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

US security officials should be prepared for unexpected actions from Putin, including electronic sabotage of critical infrastructure within the United States.

The use of mercenaries, such as Russia's Wagner Group, provides plausible deniability for carrying out covert operations in conflicts around the world.

Deep dives

US security officials should expect the unexpected from Putin

Former CIA officer Gregory Sims warns that US security officials should be prepared for unexpected actions from Vladimir Putin, not only in Ukraine but also within the United States. Sims cautions against being caught off guard if Putin activates underground agents in the US to electronically sabotage power stations or other critical infrastructure.

Introduction

2min

The Lethal Nature of the Wagner Group

12min

The Rise of Mercenaries and their Role in Modern Warfare

8min

Mercenaries in Ukraine and the Potential Risks for Zelensky

8min

Discussion on Lack of Weapons Caches and Speculation on Accuracy of Soviet Defectors' Statements

2min

Potential Threats to Information Infrastructure

15min

Russia's Cyber Threats and Escalating Tensions

3min

“Maverick strategist” Sean McFate, a former private mercenary, talks about the Ukraine deployment of Russia’s paramilitary Wagner Group, while ex-senior CIA ops officer Gregory Sims says US security officials should “expect the unexpected” not to be caught flat-footed by a cornered Vladimir Putin, including big “surprises" like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor.

Guests:

Sean McFate:

https://twitter.com/seanmcfate

https://www.seanmcfate.com/

Gregory Sims

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-sims-b39a1115a?trk=pulse-article_main-author-card

https://www.thecipherbrief.com/experts/gregory-sims

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