In Moscow's Shadows In Moscow's Shadows 208: 5 Million Downloads and Counting! A Q&A Compilation
Jul 13, 2025
The podcast celebrates over 5 million downloads while addressing diverse patron questions. It tackles Russia's military struggles post-2022 and NATO tensions, revealing economic motivations behind military enlistment. The relationship between Russia and China is explored, highlighting espionage and geopolitical maneuvers. Hungary's strategic positioning amid shifting alliances is examined, along with the resilience of the Russian regime and ultranationalist influences. The host reflects on bias in Russian analysis, maintaining a cautiously optimistic outlook on future democratic changes.
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Episode notes
Russian Attack on NATO Unlikely
- Mark Galeotti is less worried about a near-term Russian attack on NATO than many analysts due to capability and intent differences.
- Russia lacks combined arms operational capacity to fight a meaningful war against NATO and Putin likely avoids large escalation risks.
Financial Incentives Drive Russian Volunteers
- High recruitment rates for Russian forces stem partly from large financial incentives especially in poor regions.
- Volunteers see it as a deadly lottery with life-changing sums versus their usual low incomes.
Limited Public War Discussion
- Public discussion of war’s painful costs remains limited due to information control and fear of dissent.
- Many Russians avoid digging into harsh realities due to moral discomfort and government suppression.
