In Moscow's Shadows
Russia, behind the headlines as well as in the shadows. This podcast is the audio counterpart to Mark Galeotti's blog of the same name, a place where "one of the most informed and provocative voices on modern Russia", can talk about Russia historical and (more often) contemporary, discuss new books and research, and sometimes talk to other Russia-watchers. If you'd like to keep the podcast coming and generally support my work, or want to ask questions or suggest topics for me to cover, do please contribute to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/InMoscowsShadowsThe podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.
Latest episodes
Jun 14, 2020 • 10min
In Moscow's Shadows Cellcast: 7 June 2020: A Plot in Prague, The Murders That Weren't
What to make of the Czech Republic's bizarre 'ricin case' whereby a Russian diplomat was accused of being part of an assassination plot that turned out to be fake - but still got expelled? I honestly don't have the answer, but Patron Zuzana Ouhrabková asked for my take, so here it is...Support the show
Jun 2, 2020 • 27min
In Moscow's Shadows 5: Disinformation (and deep-cover spies and Libya)
Does Russia use disinformation as a weapon against the West? Yes. But is this a constant and carefully coordinated campaign? Not so much: this episode, I outline how I think this really works, and how the Kremlin's use of "narrative entrepreneurs" can and does backfire. Meanwhile, I keep hunting for the right metaphor...You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. Support the show
Jun 1, 2020 • 6min
In Moscow's Shadows Cellcast: 25 May 2020: Gangsters, SMEs and Covid economic policy
As an extra initiative, I've decided from time to time to record very short 'cellcasts' riffing off some article or piece of news. They will go out to patrons right away, and more general access a week later. This one, from 25 May 2020, looks at yesterday's armed brawl in a southern Moscow courtyard and considers if it has implications for Russia's economic policy in the covid age. You can find a video of the brawl @ https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/05/25/funeral-home-shootout-in-moscow-a70373 and, if you read Russian (or don't mind using Google Translate), there's a good piece in Komsomolskaya Pravda @ https://www.kp.ru/daily/27134/4223757/Support the show
May 18, 2020 • 39min
In Moscow's Shadows 4: Vorontsov, Police Protests and Community Action (plus 'late Putinism', spooks and Western policy)
Why should we care about police protests against the victimisation of an ex-cop activist? I suggest it says some interesting things about community and the protest habit in modern Russia. I also tackle another trio on patrons' questions: on "late Putinism," generational change in the security services, and Western policy...You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. Support the show
May 9, 2020 • 39min
In Moscow's Shadows 3: Victory Day, National Myths and Patron's Questions
What more can be said about Victory Day and how the Kremlin seeks to co-opt the myth and memory of the Great Patriotic War to its own purposes? I have a go. Also, Patron's questions answered, on China, cybercrime and the Paul Whelan affair.You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here. Support the show
May 2, 2020 • 33min
In Moscow's Shadows 2: Mishustin, Sechin, Institutional vs Personal Power
Prime Minister Mishustin is self-isolating with COVID-19 symptoms, and Andrei Belousov is standing in for him, But how does the prime minister really matter in a hyper-presidential system like Putin's Russia. In this episode I explore the power of the majordomo at the court of the tsar, and compare that with what Sechin's capacity to be the perennial bull in the Russian china shop shows us about the power of being one of Putin's trusted mates.Support the show
Apr 25, 2020 • 40min
In Moscow's Shadows 1: Coronavirus, Sobyanin, Social Contracts and Big Len
The inaugural episode of the In Moscow's Shadows podcast, Mark Galeotti's rumination on all things Russia, past, present and future. This episode addresses the impact of COVID-19 and the federal government's unimpressive response, how this may affect the fortunes of Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin (and whether his trajectory may follow that of another Sergei), the social contract with the governors, and quite why Vladimir Putin has it in for Vladimir Lenin.You can also follow the IMS blog @ https://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com/, and Mark Galeotti on twitter (@MarkGaleotti) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/markgaleottionrussia/). You can get more content and support this podcast on its Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/InMoscowsShadows Support the show
