The Indicator from Planet Money

Rebranding 'the world's most dangerous private army'

Oct 17, 2024
In this discussion, Sean McFate, a professor at the National Defense University and expert on mercenary groups, delves into the Wagner Group. He examines the fallout from Yevgeny Prigozhin's mysterious plane crash and its implications for global security. McFate explains how the Wagner Group emerged as a powerful player by capitalizing on political instability, highlighting its duality in warfare. He also explores the group's strategic operations in Africa, addressing the geopolitical consequences of its business model and the significance of rare earth minerals.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Wagner Group's Origins and Business Model

  • Yevgeny Prigozhin started Wagner Group around 2014, offering regimes in Africa and the Middle East deals.
  • These deals involved political assassinations, regime creation, and resource extraction in exchange for allegiance to Russia.
INSIGHT

Wagner's Two-Tiered Structure

  • Wagner Group comprised two distinct groups: a highly skilled old guard and a less-skilled new guard of Russian prisoners.
  • The old guard operated primarily in Africa, while the new guard served as cannon fodder in Ukraine.
ANECDOTE

Prigozhin's Mutiny and Downfall

  • Prigozhin's mutiny involved marching troops toward Moscow, likely to renegotiate Wagner's contract with the Russian government.
  • The march ended in Belarus after apparent renegotiations, but Prigozhin's fate was sealed.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app