Kamil Galeev, a London-based historian and former classmate of Jordan's at Peking University, explores the intricacies of military coups and political power dynamics in Russia. He discusses the Wagner Group's failed rebellion in 2023 and how it reshaped Kremlin views on internal threats. Kamil draws intriguing parallels between historical coups and modern political tensions, emphasizing the influence of victimhood mentality on foreign policy decisions. He also addresses the barriers facing China's rise to hegemony, making for a compelling analysis of global power struggles.
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insights INSIGHT
Russia's Coup Prevention System
The Russian military is heavily controlled by an internal security agency to prevent coups.
This layered control system has successfully stifled military insurrections since 1917.
insights INSIGHT
Wagner Group's Unique Status
Wagner was the first large military force in Russia not infiltrated by state security.
Its rapid expansion in 2022 outpaced control mechanisms, creating an unprecedented threat.
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Coups Require Invitation
Successful military coups are almost always invited or solicited.
How does Russia prevent uprisings, and what can other authoritarians learn from Moscow’s methods of coup control?
For the second anniversary of the Wagner uprising, ChinaTalk interviewed London-based historian Kamil Galeev, who was also a classmate of Jordan’s at Peking University.
We discuss…
Why the Wagner Group rebelled in 2023, and why the coup attempt ultimately failed,
How Wagner shifted the Kremlin’s assessment of internal political challengers,
Similarities between post-Soviet doomerism and the American right,
Historical examples of foreign policy inflienced by a victimhood mentality,
Barriers to Chinese hegemony.
Outro Music: Султан Лагучев - Любовь беда (YouTube Link)
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