Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group fighters are said to be welcome in safe-haven Belarus. We ask how Aleksandr Lukashenko, the country’s puppet president, ended up in the role of peace broker. Our correspondent investigates why so many American states are having to bail out public-transport companies. And the diplomatic benefits of wearing red on visits to China.Please take a moment to fill out our listener survey: www.economist.com/podcastsurveyFor full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, nicknamed “Putin’s chef”, leads the Wagner Group of mercenaries fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. He had lambasted Russia’s military leaders for months, but the mutiny he began over the weekend lasted less than a day. Nevertheless it is a sharp blow to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership—and may prove to be a boon for Ukraine’s counter-offensive.Please take a moment to fill out our listener survey: www.economist.com/podcastsurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

A week on from an aborted uprising, Vladimir Putin is still standing. But for how long? The brief rebellion, launched by the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin, marked the greatest challenge to Putin's rule since he came to power, 23 years ago. The mercenary leader is now in exile in Belarus and no charges are being filed against him or his followers. So where does that leave Putin, who has a reputation for being ruthless with his enemies? In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Yevgeny Prigozhin, nicknamed “Putin’s chef”, leads the Wagner Group of mercenaries fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. He had lambasted Russia’s military leaders for months, but the mutiny he began over the weekend lasted less than a day. Nevertheless it is a sharp blow to President Vladimir Putin’s leadership—and may prove to be a boon for Ukraine’s counter-offensive.Please take a moment to fill out our listener survey: www.economist.com/podcastsurvey For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yevgeny Prigozhin rose from hot dog seller to top chef to Russia’s leading mercenary. Journalist Paul Wood and Harvard’s Timothy Colton explain why he turned on Vladimir Putin this weekend.This episode was produced by Siona Peterous and Hady Mawajdeh with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd with help from Cristian Ayala, and hosted by Noel King.Transcript at vox.com/todayexplainedSupport Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China's bankers learn card game to woo investors, future of Russian mercenary group Wagner discussed, controversy over Spanish soccer president kissing player on World Cup, and Simone Biles' record-breaking achievements in gymnastics.

Vivek Ramaswamy beats Ron DeSantis in Republican debates. Donald Trump surrenders to Fulton County. Yevgeny Prigozhin's jet appears fine before crashing.

Mark Galeotti dives deep into the enigmatic life of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a formidable warlord and rival of Vladimir Putin. He discusses Prigozhin's rise through the culinary elite in St. Petersburg and his path to leading the Wagner Group. The podcast uncovers the Kremlin's manipulation of loyalty and misinformation while analyzing the repercussions of Prigozhin’s actions post-coup. Galeotti speculates on Russia's future, highlighting the potential for a generational shift in leadership and its implications for democracy amid ongoing chaos.

Yevgeny Prigozhin's recent death means Putin is losing powerful allies. Mark Galeotti discusses Putin's shrinking circle and the flaws in his leadership. They explore the stability of the Russian economy and public sentiment. Discussing Putin's mentality and potential regrets regarding the invasion of Ukraine.

Leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, discusses their recruitment tactics influenced by ISIS, including flashy online efforts and recruitment centers in gyms. The podcast also explores the activities and deceptive tactics of the paramilitary organization, as well as the experiences of members and the competition for control following the leader's death.