Podcast appearances and mentions of Wagner Group

A new book delves deep into the rise and fall of the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group and its close ties to Vladimir Putin. Nick Schifrin sat down with Candace Rondeaux, author of "Putin's Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

TOM CLANCY LINE OF DEMARCATION starts with the destruction of a US Coast Guard cutter and the loss of her entire crew. But the USCG Claiborne was on an innocuous mission to open a sea lane between an oil field off the coast of South America and the refineries of southern Louisiana. The destruction of the ship—tragic as it is—won't stop that mission from continuing.  So, who would sacrifice twenty-two men and women just to slow down the plan? That's the question plaguing Jack, who is in Guyana working on a deal to get his company, Hendley Associates, in on the ground floor of this new discovery.  But Russia's Wagner Group and a pack of Venezuelan narco-terrorists have other ideas—and will risk war with the United States to see them through. It's up to Jack to identify the killers before they draw a bead on him . . . but how can he do that when the line of demarcation between friend and foe is constantly shifting? ABOUT THE AUTHORS:M.P. Woodward is the New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy Shadow State and The Handler CIA espionage series (The Handler and Dead Drop). Woodward served for a decade as a U.S. Naval intelligence officer before going on to an international career in tech and streaming media. He lives in the Pacific Northwest. Thirty-five years ago, Tom Clancy was a Maryland insurance broker with a passion for naval history. Years before, he had been an English major at Baltimore's Loyola College and had always dreamed of writing a novel. His first effort, The Hunt for Red October, sold briskly as a result of rave reviews, then catapulted onto the New York Times bestseller list after President Reagan pronounced it “the perfect yarn.” From that day forward, Clancy established himself as an undisputed master at blending exceptional realism and authenticity, intricate plotting, and razor-sharp suspense. He passed away in October 2013.For more info on the book click HERE

Candace Rondeaux joins Chris to unpack the dark mythology and hard realities behind the Wagner Group, drawing from her investigative book Putin's Sledgehammer. They explore Wagner's roots in post-Soviet chaos, its fusion of state power and criminal underworlds, and its critical role in Russia's foreign policy ambitions from Syria to Africa to Ukraine. Candace explains how Wagner became a key tool for circumventing sanctions, selling arms, spreading disinformation, and exporting Russia's influence under the guise of deniability. They discuss the rise and fall of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's shadowy presence in Zelensky's early presidency, and how the group evolved into today's “Africa Corps.” Plus: assassination attempts, troll farms, and how a sledgehammer murder became a viral propaganda symbol. Find more on Candace's research on Wagner here: https://uncoveringwagner.org/ Find Putin's Sledgehammer here:  https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/candace-rondeaux/putins-sledgehammer/9781541703087/ Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs. Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photo by TASS & Reuters Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode unpacks global events through the lens of intelligence and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and analysts.

TOM CLANCY LINE OF DEMARCATION starts with the destruction of a US Coast Guard cutter and the loss of her entire crew. But the USCG Claiborne was on an innocuous mission to open a sea lane between an oil field off the coast of South America and the refineries of southern Louisiana. The destruction of the ship—tragic as it is—won't stop that mission from continuing.  So, who would sacrifice twenty-two men and women just to slow down the plan? That's the question plaguing Jack, who is in Guyana working on a deal to get his company, Hendley Associates, in on the ground floor of this new discovery.  But Russia's Wagner Group and a pack of Venezuelan narco-terrorists have other ideas—and will risk war with the United States to see them through. It's up to Jack to identify the killers before they draw a bead on him . . . but how can he do that when the line of demarcation between friend and foe is constantly shifting?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Shawn Ryan Show: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org. Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- Marat Gabidullin, born in Siberia and raised in Uzbekistan, served in Soviet airborne forces until 1994, then spent three years in prison for shooting a crime boss. After security work in Russia, he joined the Wagner Group in 2015, rose to lead a reconnaissance company, and was badly wounded near Palmyra in 2016. He later advised the ISIS Hunters Battalion and fought at Khasham, but quit Wagner in 2019, briefly ran a Redut detachment in Syria, and left disillusioned. Gabidullin's 2022 memoir denounced Wagner and Russia's invasion of Ukraine; he now lives in France. Journalist and researcher John Lechner reports from conflict zones and specializes in Russian PMCs. His book Death Is Our Business (Bloomsbury, 2025) charts the rise of Wagner, following earlier work such as Beginner's Chechen and upcoming Circassian and Sango language texts. A former policy analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and an emerging-markets banker at Deutsche Bank and Lazard, Lechner holds degrees from Harvard (Slavic Languages) and Georgetown (MSFS). Fluent in five languages and conversant in several others, he is a recognized expert on Russian foreign policy and has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy. He lives in Washington, DC. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: ⁠https://www.roka.com⁠ - USE CODE SRS https://www.americanfinancing.net/SRS NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.expressvpn.com/SRS https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.hillsdale.edu/SRS https://www.shopify.com/SRS https://trueclassic.com/SRS https://www.ziprecruiter.com/SRS Guest Links: Marat Gabidullin FB - https://www.facebook.com/share/15TBVmf2mt/  Book - Moi, Marat, ex-commandant de l'armée Wagner - Les dessous de l'armée secrète de Poutine enfin révélé https://a.co/d/csNMjFH  Book - Ma vérité https://a.co/d/bLZYssf  John Lechner X - https://x.com/JohnLechner1 IG - https://www.instagram.com/johnalechner/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/john.lechner.5 Book - Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare https://a.co/d/7rKXhnI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marat Gabidullin, born in Siberia and raised in Uzbekistan, served in Soviet airborne forces until 1994, then spent three years in prison for shooting a crime boss. After security work in Russia, he joined the Wagner Group in 2015, rose to lead a reconnaissance company, and was badly wounded near Palmyra in 2016. He later advised the ISIS Hunters Battalion and fought at Khasham, but quit Wagner in 2019, briefly ran a Redut detachment in Syria, and left disillusioned. Gabidullin's 2022 memoir denounced Wagner and Russia's invasion of Ukraine; he now lives in France. Journalist and researcher John Lechner reports from conflict zones and specializes in Russian PMCs. His book Death Is Our Business (Bloomsbury, 2025) charts the rise of Wagner, following earlier work such as Beginner's Chechen and upcoming Circassian and Sango language texts. A former policy analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and an emerging-markets banker at Deutsche Bank and Lazard, Lechner holds degrees from Harvard (Slavic Languages) and Georgetown (MSFS). Fluent in five languages and conversant in several others, he is a recognized expert on Russian foreign policy and has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy. He lives in Washington, DC. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: ⁠https://www.roka.com⁠ - USE CODE SRS https://www.americanfinancing.net/SRS NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.expressvpn.com/SRS https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.hillsdale.edu/SRS https://www.shopify.com/SRS https://trueclassic.com/SRS https://www.ziprecruiter.com/SRS Guest Links: Marat Gabidullin FB - https://www.facebook.com/share/15TBVmf2mt/  Book - Moi, Marat, ex-commandant de l'armée Wagner - Les dessous de l'armée secrète de Poutine enfin révélé https://a.co/d/csNMjFH  Book - Ma vérité https://a.co/d/bLZYssf  John Lechner X - https://x.com/JohnLechner1 IG - https://www.instagram.com/johnalechner/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/john.lechner.5 Book - Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare https://a.co/d/7rKXhnI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2014, a well-trained, mysterious band of mercenaries arrived in Ukraine, part of Russia's first attempt to claim the country as its own. Upon ceasefire, the “Wagner Group” faded back into shadow, only to reemerge in the Middle East, where they'd go toe-to-toe with the U.S., and in Africa, where they'd earn praise for “tough measures” against insurgencies yet spark outrage for looting, torture, and civilian deaths. As Russia gained a foothold of influence abroad, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin's Chef,” went from caterer to commander to single greatest threat Putin has faced in his over-twenty-year rule. Dually armed with military and strategic prowess, the Wagner Group created a new market in a vast geopolitical landscape increasingly receptive to the promises of private actors. In this trailblazing account of the Group's origins and operations, Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025) by John Lechner-the only journalist to report across its many warzones-brings us on the ground to witness Wagner partner with fragile nation states, score access to natural resources, oust peacekeeping missions, and cash in on conflicts reframed as Kremlin interests. After rebelling, Prigozhin faced an epic demise-but Wagner lives on, its political, business, and military ventures a pillar of Russian operations the world over. Featuring exclusive interviews with over thirty Wagner Group members, Death Is Our Business is the terrifying true tale of the renegade militia that proved global instability is nothing if not an opportunity. John Lechner is a journalist and an independent researcher and consultant to NGOs and other institutions working in Africa. He holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He speaks Russian, French, Turkish, Georgian, Chechen, Sango, and more. His reporting has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the BBC and published in Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and War on the Rocks, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he lives in Washington, D.C. Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar whose research areas are related to Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, military history, War studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, as well as Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

In 2014, a well-trained, mysterious band of mercenaries arrived in Ukraine, part of Russia's first attempt to claim the country as its own. Upon ceasefire, the “Wagner Group” faded back into shadow, only to reemerge in the Middle East, where they'd go toe-to-toe with the U.S., and in Africa, where they'd earn praise for “tough measures” against insurgencies yet spark outrage for looting, torture, and civilian deaths. As Russia gained a foothold of influence abroad, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin's Chef,” went from caterer to commander to single greatest threat Putin has faced in his over-twenty-year rule. Dually armed with military and strategic prowess, the Wagner Group created a new market in a vast geopolitical landscape increasingly receptive to the promises of private actors. In this trailblazing account of the Group's origins and operations, Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025) by John Lechner-the only journalist to report across its many warzones-brings us on the ground to witness Wagner partner with fragile nation states, score access to natural resources, oust peacekeeping missions, and cash in on conflicts reframed as Kremlin interests. After rebelling, Prigozhin faced an epic demise-but Wagner lives on, its political, business, and military ventures a pillar of Russian operations the world over. Featuring exclusive interviews with over thirty Wagner Group members, Death Is Our Business is the terrifying true tale of the renegade militia that proved global instability is nothing if not an opportunity. John Lechner is a journalist and an independent researcher and consultant to NGOs and other institutions working in Africa. He holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He speaks Russian, French, Turkish, Georgian, Chechen, Sango, and more. His reporting has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the BBC and published in Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and War on the Rocks, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he lives in Washington, D.C. Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar whose research areas are related to Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, military history, War studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, as well as Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In 2014, a well-trained, mysterious band of mercenaries arrived in Ukraine, part of Russia's first attempt to claim the country as its own. Upon ceasefire, the “Wagner Group” faded back into shadow, only to reemerge in the Middle East, where they'd go toe-to-toe with the U.S., and in Africa, where they'd earn praise for “tough measures” against insurgencies yet spark outrage for looting, torture, and civilian deaths. As Russia gained a foothold of influence abroad, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin's Chef,” went from caterer to commander to single greatest threat Putin has faced in his over-twenty-year rule. Dually armed with military and strategic prowess, the Wagner Group created a new market in a vast geopolitical landscape increasingly receptive to the promises of private actors. In this trailblazing account of the Group's origins and operations, Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025) by John Lechner-the only journalist to report across its many warzones-brings us on the ground to witness Wagner partner with fragile nation states, score access to natural resources, oust peacekeeping missions, and cash in on conflicts reframed as Kremlin interests. After rebelling, Prigozhin faced an epic demise-but Wagner lives on, its political, business, and military ventures a pillar of Russian operations the world over. Featuring exclusive interviews with over thirty Wagner Group members, Death Is Our Business is the terrifying true tale of the renegade militia that proved global instability is nothing if not an opportunity. John Lechner is a journalist and an independent researcher and consultant to NGOs and other institutions working in Africa. He holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He speaks Russian, French, Turkish, Georgian, Chechen, Sango, and more. His reporting has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the BBC and published in Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and War on the Rocks, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he lives in Washington, D.C. Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar whose research areas are related to Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, military history, War studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, as well as Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

In 2014, a well-trained, mysterious band of mercenaries arrived in Ukraine, part of Russia's first attempt to claim the country as its own. Upon ceasefire, the “Wagner Group” faded back into shadow, only to reemerge in the Middle East, where they'd go toe-to-toe with the U.S., and in Africa, where they'd earn praise for “tough measures” against insurgencies yet spark outrage for looting, torture, and civilian deaths. As Russia gained a foothold of influence abroad, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin's Chef,” went from caterer to commander to single greatest threat Putin has faced in his over-twenty-year rule. Dually armed with military and strategic prowess, the Wagner Group created a new market in a vast geopolitical landscape increasingly receptive to the promises of private actors. In this trailblazing account of the Group's origins and operations, Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025) by John Lechner-the only journalist to report across its many warzones-brings us on the ground to witness Wagner partner with fragile nation states, score access to natural resources, oust peacekeeping missions, and cash in on conflicts reframed as Kremlin interests. After rebelling, Prigozhin faced an epic demise-but Wagner lives on, its political, business, and military ventures a pillar of Russian operations the world over. Featuring exclusive interviews with over thirty Wagner Group members, Death Is Our Business is the terrifying true tale of the renegade militia that proved global instability is nothing if not an opportunity. John Lechner is a journalist and an independent researcher and consultant to NGOs and other institutions working in Africa. He holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He speaks Russian, French, Turkish, Georgian, Chechen, Sango, and more. His reporting has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the BBC and published in Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and War on the Rocks, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he lives in Washington, D.C. Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar whose research areas are related to Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, military history, War studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, as well as Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

In 2014, a well-trained, mysterious band of mercenaries arrived in Ukraine, part of Russia's first attempt to claim the country as its own. Upon ceasefire, the “Wagner Group” faded back into shadow, only to reemerge in the Middle East, where they'd go toe-to-toe with the U.S., and in Africa, where they'd earn praise for “tough measures” against insurgencies yet spark outrage for looting, torture, and civilian deaths. As Russia gained a foothold of influence abroad, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin's Chef,” went from caterer to commander to single greatest threat Putin has faced in his over-twenty-year rule. Dually armed with military and strategic prowess, the Wagner Group created a new market in a vast geopolitical landscape increasingly receptive to the promises of private actors. In this trailblazing account of the Group's origins and operations, Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025) by John Lechner-the only journalist to report across its many warzones-brings us on the ground to witness Wagner partner with fragile nation states, score access to natural resources, oust peacekeeping missions, and cash in on conflicts reframed as Kremlin interests. After rebelling, Prigozhin faced an epic demise-but Wagner lives on, its political, business, and military ventures a pillar of Russian operations the world over. Featuring exclusive interviews with over thirty Wagner Group members, Death Is Our Business is the terrifying true tale of the renegade militia that proved global instability is nothing if not an opportunity. John Lechner is a journalist and an independent researcher and consultant to NGOs and other institutions working in Africa. He holds a master's degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. He speaks Russian, French, Turkish, Georgian, Chechen, Sango, and more. His reporting has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the BBC and published in Foreign Policy, Lawfare, and War on the Rocks, among others. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he lives in Washington, D.C. Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar whose research areas are related to Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, military history, War studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, as well as Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this recentWhoWhatWhy podcast, I talk with John Lechner, author of Death Is Our Business. He details how private armies increasingly blur the lines between state power and mercenary force. The prospect of billionaires and politicians commanding their own military forces is no longer just a dystopian idea. John Lechner's five-year investigation into Russia's notorious Wagner Group reveals a disturbing template for what privatized warfare could mean for America and the world.

The new book “Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare” is the inside story of how the Wagner Group made private military companies inextricable from Russia's anti-western foreign strategy by independent journalist John Lechner. Lechner made his first trip to the Central African Republic in 2019 where he began researching the effect of Russian intervention on the country's armed politics.

John Lechner is a journalist, independent researcher, and consultant specializing in Africa. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and the BBC, among others. His latest book, DEATH IS OUR BUSINESS, is the definitive account of the Wagner Group—the mercenary force that changed modern warfare, from Ukraine to Syria to Africa. Through exclusive interviews and deep investigative research, Lechner exposes how Wagner operated as both a military and business empire, and how its influence continues beyond the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin.FOLLOW JOHNInstagram: @johnalechnerX: @JohnLechner1LinkedIn: @jlechner Website: https://www.johnlechnerauthor.com/FOLLOW JACKInstagram: @JackCarrUSA X:  @JackCarrUSAFacebook:  @JackCarr YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORSCRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/Bravo Company Manufacturing Mk15 Timepiece - MOD3:https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-mk15-timepiece-mod-3/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSATHE SIGs of Jack Carr  P365 Collection: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion.Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear 

Chaos is the rule of the day, with markets, companies, governments and individuals being rapidly buffeted by events and change. Technology is exacerbating that chaos by offering asymmetric leverage to more people. On the positive side, technologies like AI and drones can drastically improve the productivity of workers and artists to perform their craft, benefiting us all. But there is a dark side as well: extremists are early adopters of new technologies that afford them the ability to maximize their evil objectives. With so much change in the world, how can we grapple with this new era of asymmetry?Joining host Danny Crichton and Riskgaming director of programming Laurence Pevsner is Colin P. Clarke, the director of research at The Soufan Group and formerly a long-time terrorism analyst at RAND. He has spent years studying terrorist organizations and their thirst for new technologies and new means of financing their activities. His new book on Evgeny Prigozhin and the rise of The Wagner Group will be out later this year. The three talk about how new technologies are changing the threat landscape from terrorism, the changing contours of the so-called crime-terror nexus, why China is increasingly the focus of analysis, and how governments are responding to the increasing leverage of terrorists throughout the world.

James Pogue interviews John Lechner, a journalist and author who has extensively covered the Wagner Group and its influence in Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic. They discuss John's unique path to journalism through language learning, the historical context of the Central African Republic, ethnic divisions within the country, the civil war, and the role of external powers. John's new book is called Death is Our Business, the shocking inside story of how the Wagner Group made private military companies inextricable from Russia's anti-Western foreign strategy.The podcast also touches on military entrepreneurship and the ongoing situation in Eastern Congo, emphasizing the complex interplay of these regions' politics, identity, and resources. This conversation delves into the complex historical and political dynamics of the Central African Republic and the influence of the Wagner Group. It explores the historical context of the Tutsis in Congo, the political landscape shaped by various armed groups, and the role of Russia in Africa, particularly through the Wagner Group. The discussion highlights the interplay of local politics, foreign influence, and the region's ongoing struggles for power and resources. In this conversation, James Pogue and John Lechner delve into the complexities of power dynamics, the operations of the Wagner Group, and the challenges faced in the Sahel region. They explore the future of private military companies (PMCs) in American foreign policy, discussing the implications of influence trading and the evolving nature of warfare. The dialogue highlights the difficulties in navigating geopolitical landscapes and the potential for PMCs to play a significant role in future conflicts.

Thousands of kilometres from the devastating war it's been waging in Ukraine, Russia has involved itself in a swathe of other conflicts that attract much less attention: in Africa. Why? This week we speak to Beverly Ochieng, a self-described Wagner Group stalker, about what Russia is playing at. We're also talking about a foul-mouthed (?) Eurovision controversy, and why none of the world's big bad tech giants come from Europe.    Beverly is a senior analyst for francophone Africa at Control Risks and a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. You can follow her here on Bluesky and here on Mastodon. Check out our full conversation with Beverly on our YouTube channel.   Thanks so much for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index.    Other resources for this week's episode   European Alternatives - euro-companies making all kinds of digital products: https://european-alternatives.eu/   Jitsi, the great Zoom alternative created by a swing-dancing Erasmus student: https://jitsi.org/   'The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World' by Anu Bradford: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491   Fact-check: Does the EU really buy 80% of its weapons from overseas? (No, no it doesn't.) Bluesky thread by The Economist's Stanley Pignal, March 9, 2025: https://bsky.app/profile/spignal.bsky.social/post/3ljxd4r4cos25   Miriana Conte - Kant (‘Singing'); National Final Performance, Eurovision Song Contest 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNK1tt6L5k   00:33  Smellovision and feminist babies 03:32  Bad Week: Skype 25:19  Good Week: Language prudes 37:39  Interview: Beverly Ochieng on Russia's African antics 53:40  The Inspiration Station: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index 56:44  Happy Ending: Easier breathing for Londoners   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com    

⚡️ Register for "The Making Of A Dictator": https://bit.ly/dictator2025Registration closes 23:59 23/03/2025 || Special Offer Price €99--In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of mercenaries, taking you from the era of Italian condottieri to the modern day with groups like Blackwater and Wagner.   You'll learn how these soldiers for hire have evolved, the reasons nations use or avoid them, and their impact on 21st-century warfare.  What are mercenaries? Definition and historical context. Origins and role of freelance knights in Medieval Europe. Renaissance Italy: The rise of the condottieri. Impact and decline of the condottieri. Blackwater: A modern private military company. Private Military Contractors and international law issues. The Wagner Group and its ties to Russia. Wagner's global influence and alleged war crimes. Mercenaries in business and war: Ethical dilemmas. Future of warfare with mercenary involvement. Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/mercenaries ---You might like:⚡️ Join The Making Of A Dictator (closes 23:59 23/03/2025)

John Lechner, the author of “Death is Our Business,” does a deep dive into the story of Yevgeny Prigozhin and the mercenary organization The Wagner Group. Then, Meaghan Gitlin and Rob MaGee share the Utah Association for Corporate Growth's “Deal of the Year” award winners. Rob and Rachel Alday, the owners of Lolo's Laundry and Abode Luxury Rentals, talk about their local businesses. And KPCW General Manager Juliana Allely wraps up the Winter Pledge Drive.

Today Justin talks to John Lechner. John graduated from Georgetown University with a master's degree in foreign service. He speaks several languages, including Russian, French, Turkish, and Georgian. He now works as an independent journalist and his reporting has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, BBC, and many more. He's here to discuss the story of the rise of the Wagner Group, aRussian mercenary private military company that grew in a few short years from just a handful of fighters to a combined arms force large enough to become a threat to the Russian government itself.Connect with John:johnlechnerauthor.comIG: @johnalechnerTwitter/X: @JohnLechner1Check out the book, Death is Our Business, here.https://a.co/d/9kJATQDConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.OC Strategic AcademyLearn spy skills to hack your own reality. Use code SPYCRAFT101 to get 10% off any course!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Grey Dynamics welcomes John Lechner to the podcast. He is a journalist and researcher, focusing on security issues with a heavy approach to on-the-ground coverage. John is also an expert on Russia's growing influence in Africa. He speaks fluent Russian; advanced French, Turkish, and Georgian; and conversational Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS), Chechen, German, and Sango.You can find his articles published in Foreign Policy, War on the Rocks, Kyiv Post, The Diplomat, Africa is a Country, African Arguments, The National Interest, and Defense One, among others. Additionally, his book on the inner workings of the Wagner Group is for sale on AmazonFind John LechnerLinkedInJohn Lechner AuthorDeath Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private WarfareRelated Links:Wagner PMC Activity in the Central African Republic: A Geospatial AnalysisPMC Wagner in Africa: ForecastAdvance Your Intelligence Career Today!We are the first fully online intelligence school helping professionals to achieve their long term goals. Our school with tons of new material is currently under construction and will be out there very soon. Meanwhile, you can sign up and be the first to know when we launch, plus get exclusive tips and offers.Get access to exclusive Grey Dynamics ReportsWith security clearance, you can take a crucial role in our intelligence community. As a cleared member, you get access to Secret & Top Secret grade publications. If you are a Top Secret holder, you also get access to our community area, where you can interact with other members and with our analysts! Subscribe today!The Grey Dynamics Podcast is available on all major platforms!YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastGoogle PodcastAmazon Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The international war reporter John Lechner is a brave man. For his new book Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare, he spent time in both Russia and the Central African Republic researching the Russian mercenary Wagner Group founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin. In our conversation, he details Prigozhin's rise, his rebellion against Putin, and his eventual death. Lechner argues that mercenary groups like Wagner are generally no more or less bloodthirsty than the governments that employ them. We also talked about the broader global trend of outsourcing warfare, from Russian mercenaries to U.S. contractors like Blackwater, and how this approach reduces political costs for governments engaging in military interventions.Here are the 5 KEEN ON AMERICA takeaways from the Lechner interview:* Wagner Group represents a broader trend of privatized warfare, following in the footsteps of Western contractors like Blackwater but expanding into offensive operations.* Yevgeny Prigozhin's personal ambition and desire to overcome his status within Putin's inner circle drove Wagner's expansion globally.* Mercenary groups like Wagner typically mirror the human rights practices of the governments that hire them, often exacerbating existing abuses rather than introducing new ones.* Prigozhin's rebellion against Putin stemmed from his narcissism and fear of losing political leverage when the Ministry of Defense attempted to absorb Wagner's fighters.* The outsourcing of warfare (through mercenaries, proxies, or technology) allows governments to pursue interventionist policies with reduced political costs, as contractor deaths don't receive the same public scrutiny as military casualties.John Lechner graduated from the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) Program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. At Georgetown, John focused on security issues in Central Africa and the Sahel; Turkey; Russia, and the former Soviet Union. He is an expert on Russia's growing influence in Africa. He speaks fluent Russian; advanced French, Turkish, and Georgian; and conversational Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS), Chechen, German, and Sango (the lingua franca of the Central African Republic). After working in finance for several years, John decided to leverage his language skills and significant experience living abroad—especially in Russia and Europe—for a career in international affairs. After arriving in Washington DC, he took an internship with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), analyzing and publishing articles on Turkish domestic politics, security, and foreign relations. While attending Georgetown he has continued to work as a freelance journalist, covering issues related to language, history, culture, and politics in eastern Ukraine, Moldova, Turkey, the Sahel, and the Central African Republic. He is an expert on the history, languages, and politics of Central Africa, Turkey, and the former Soviet Union. You can find his articles published in Foreign Policy, War on the Rocks, Kyiv Post, The Diplomat, Africa is a Country, African Arguments, The National Interest, and Defense One, among others.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Private military contractors are changing the nature of warfare as national governments outsource fighting to mercenaries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. None has elicited as much interest as Russia's Wagner Group and its founder Yevgheny Prighozin with others following in his footsteps, as author John Lechner explains.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today's guest is John Lechner, a writer and researcher. He's here today to talk about his new book about the Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded private military group, or PMC. The book is called Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare, and is out March 4th (you can preorder it here). It's a crazy read, and draws on multiple trips John took to frontlines in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali. As a mutual friend told me, “John knows more about the Wagner Group than anyone not in the Wagner Group.” I asked John to help me better understand how state capacity works, through the lens of private military companies.Some questions I came into our conversation with:* How does a private military company (PMC) work? What's the bureaucratic structure of a PMC?* How does a successful PMC operate? How does it scale?* How does a state like Russia use a PMC for its own ends (and how do PMCs use states for their own ends)?* How do Russian PMCs like Wagner compare to American PMCs like Blackwater?Read the full transcript of this episode at www.statecraft.pub. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.statecraft.pub

Europe's largest and deadliest war since 1945 needs to come to an end, argues Victor Davis Hanson in this edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” As rumors of peace talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine spread, Hanson talks shop about the likely outcomes and why President Donald Trump is the only one who can end Europe's bloodiest war since World War II: “What did Donald Trump do when he came in? He started giving offensive weapons to Ukraine. He killed 300 to 400 of the Wagner Group in Syria. Nobody had ever done that in the Cold War, killed that many Russians. He got out of an asymmetrical missile deal. He sanctioned the oligarchs at a higher level. He started flooding the world with cheap oil that could bankrupt Russia. He was the best friend that Ukraine ever had.”  For Victor's latest thoughts, go to: https://victorhanson.com/   Don't miss out on Victor's latest videos by subscribing to The Daily Signal today. You'll be notified every time a new video drops: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHqkXbgqrDrDVInBMSoGQgQ The Daily Signal cannot continue to tell stories like this one without the support of our viewers: https://secured.dailysignal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1/2: #AFRICA: WAGNER GROUP TAKEOVER FOR GOLD. RONAN WORDSWORTH, @GPFUTURES 1911 NIGERIA

2/2: #AFRICA: WAGNER GROUP TAKEOVER FOR GOLD. RONAN WORDSWORTH, @GPFUTURES 1823

PREVIEW: AFRICA: RUSSIA: PRC: Colleague Ronan Wordsworth explains the transformation of Francophone Africa colonies to Wagner Group outposts that usher in China resource exploitation while grabbing larger shares of the gold fields. More later. 1885

Philip Obaji Jr. is a Nigeria-based correspondent for The Daily Beast, covering sub-Saharan Africa. He fearlessly and relentlessly uncovers stories about Russian crimes in Africa, including those perpetrated by the Wagner Group. He was awarded Int. Journalist of the Year in 2023. He won the Future Awards Africa Prize in Education in 2014, and the Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year in 2015. ---------- LINKS: https://x.com/PhilipObaji https://www.gofundme.com/f/philip-obaji-uncover-russian-atrocities-africa https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/philip-obaji-jr/ ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org NGO “Herojam Slava” https://heroiamslava.org/ kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl https://kharpp.com/ NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ---------- PLATFORMS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ---------- Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Aux États-Unis, c'est ce lundi 20 janvier que Donald Trump revient au pouvoir. Lors de son premier mandat, sa politique africaine n'avait pas laissé un souvenir impérissable. Jeff Hawkins a été l'ambassadeur des États-Unis en Centrafrique. Aujourd'hui, il est chercheur associé à l'IRIS, l'Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, et enseigne à Sciences Po Paris. RFI lui a demandé ce qui allait changer dans la politique africaine des États-Unis avec Donald Trump… RFI : Qu'est-ce qui va changer avec Donald Trump dans la politique africaine des États-Unis ?Jeff Hawkins : Il y a deux réponses à cette question. Il y a ce qu'on craint et il y a ce qu'on pourrait espérer. Et donc ce qu'on pourrait craindre, c'est une continuation, une reprise de la position de Donald Trump lors de son premier mandat, c'est-à-dire un désintéressement quasi total pour le continent, avec cette différence assez importante, c'est que, à l'époque, lors du premier mandat, la machine continuait à tourner. Donc, même si le président n'y avait jamais mis les pieds, même si le président rencontrait très peu de chefs d'État africains, il y avait quand même une diplomatie, une assistance, un Pentagone derrière qui continuaient à interagir, et à s'engager avec l'Afrique. Cette fois-ci, ce qu'on pourrait craindre, c'est que non seulement le président ne s'y intéresserait pas, mais tout ce qui vient derrière aussi, ça risque de s'effacer. Et notamment, je pense à un Africain très influent à Washington en ce moment. En l'occurrence, Elon Musk, qui est chargé de couper les budgets de façon dramatique. Je pourrais très bien envisager par exemple une coupe importante de l'assistance américaine vis-à-vis de l'Afrique et même un retrait des forces américaines du continent. Il en reste quand même 2000 au moment où on parle. Donc, ça c'est à craindre. Sinon, on peut espérer peut-être que, dans le contexte d'une nouvelle guerre froide avec la Chine, il va plus que la dernière fois, faire un peu attention à l'Afrique.Vu de Donald Trump, quels sont les pays africains qui comptent ?Déjà en pourrait dire que les pays pétroliers, leNigeria, l'Angola, ça pourrait l'intéresser. Le Congo avec ses ressources minérales : le coltan, le cobalt et tout ça. Sinon, peut-être les pays où les Chinois sont particulièrement implantés, ou alors les pays où les Chinois risqueraient de s'implanter militairement. Donc, à un certain moment, et ça, c'était pendant l'administration Biden, on avait parlé d'une base chinoise possible en Guinée équatoriale par exemple, et on a vu tout de suite l'administration s'activer autour de cette question.Vous avez parlé du Congo Kinshasa. L'administration Biden a été assez prudente ces derniers temps dans le conflit dans l'est de ce pays. Elle ne semble pas avoir exercé de pression particulière sur le Rwanda afin qu'il cesse son aide militaire aux rebelles du M 23. Qu'en sera-t-il à votre avis avec la nouvelle administration ?Je ne sais pas, il y a déjà quelques noms qui ont été cités comme les responsables pour l'Afrique dans la nouvelle administration, pour l'instant pas confirmés, mais qui sont là dont monsieur Peter Pham qui a été envoyé spécial sous Donald Trump, la première fois, pour les Grands lacs. Et donc si cette personne arrive au département d'État comme responsable pour l'Afrique, c'est quelqu'un qui connaît déjà les dossiers.Monsieur Pham qui est francophone ?Oui.L'un des échecs de Joe Biden en Afrique, c'est le basculement du Niger dans le camp de la Russie. Et le départ des troupes américaines de Niamey et d'Agadez. Est-ce que Donald Trump pourrait tenter un comeback au Sahel ?Ça, c'est une question très intéressante, surtout étant donné un peu l'effondrement de la position française dans la région. Franchement, la collaboration dans le domaine de la sécurité entre la France et les États-Unis a été assez forte en Afrique. Donc c'est non seulement le retrait des quelque 900 troupes américaines de Niamey, d'Agadez, mais c'est aussi le départ des Français du Mali, du Burkina Faso, du Niger et du Tchad.  Et donc, il y a une sorte de vide qui s'est créé, rempli notamment par les Russes, et je pense que l'administration Trump serait tentée d'intervenir un peu plus, sachant que Trump, on peut dire ce qu'on veut, mais ce n'est pas un interventionniste. Il est très peu attiré par des conflits à l'étranger.Est-ce que Wagner est un épouvantail aussi bien pour monsieur Trump que pour monsieur Biden ?Je l'espère bien. La présence russe sur le continent africain, c'est vraiment difficile. Contrairement aux Chinois qui représentent un concurrent réel et durable pour l'Amérique, la Russie, par contre, cherche à nous miner plutôt que d'établir des relations privilégiées avec les pays africains à proprement parler. Donc c'est vraiment dangereux, c'est sérieux et je pense qu'à Washington, on prend la menace de Wagner Group, d'Africa Corps, comme ça s'appelle maintenant, très au sérieux.À lire aussiLa posture souverainiste de Donald Trump séduit certains leaders africains

In 2024, the Disorder podcast looked a lot at Ukraine, Syria, Israel-Palestine, India, Bangledesh, and even north Africa… but we didn't devote sufficient time to sub-saharan Africa. So what does Africa look like in the Age of Disorder?    To find out, Jason is joined this week by Professor Clionadh Raleigh. Cliona created Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) which is a US-based NGO. She is also Professor of Political Violence and Geography in the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex in the UK.    The duo discuss, how the Second Trump administration with its proposals for tariffs and increased tensions with China might affect Africa. And then muse on the roles of middle powers like Nigeria and Ethiopia in a disordered world, highlighting their internal challenges and regional influences.     Then they turn their attention to the civil war in Sudan, the impact of external forces like the Wagner Group in that region, and the future of American policy towards Africa amidst these challenges. And as they Order the Disorder, Clionadh suggests that we need for a nuanced understanding of local politics and the impact of external influences on African stability, and that women and girls need to be supported as part of this.    Plus, we announce the start of our new partnership with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). The world's oldest and the UK's leading defence and security think tank. As part of that partnership we will be featuring research and guests from their network, and regular live events at their base in Whitehall. To attend the first event on March 11th, pay for a Subscription to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/    Producer: George McDonagh  Executive Producer: Neil Fearn    Subscribe to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/    Show Notes Links  Read: Did Wagner Group prove an effective tool for Russian foreign policy? By RUSI https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/external-publications/did-wagner-group-prove-effective-tool-russian-foreign-policy    Read Has Sudan's Conflict Reached a Turning Point? By RUSI https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/has-sudans-conflict-reached-turning-point    More on Professor Clionadh: https://acleddata.com/team/prof-clionadh-raleigh/     Read ACLED's Raleigh Report from December 2024: https://acleddata.com/2024/12/19/the-raleigh-report-december-2024/    Read Semafor's Predictions for Africa in 2025: https://www.semafor.com/article/01/02/2025/africa-in-2025     RUSI experts in this region are, Dr Joana de Deus Pereira https://www.rusi.org/people/de-deus-pereira, Christopher Hockey https://rusi.org/people/hockey , Michael Jones https://rusi.org/people/jones    Read RUSI's paper, Conclusions Paper: Thematic Research Meeting on the Impacts of Disinformation Campaigns in the Sahel (Southern Neighbourhood) and Effects on Radicalisation and Extremist Movements in the EU: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/external-publications/conclusions-paper-thematic-research-meeting-impacts-disinformation-campaigns-sahel-southern   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? What next for the Wagner Group? And are we any closer to identifying UFOs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Rebecca Messina and Catriona StewartImage credit: David Wall / Getty Images

In the final episode of an unconventional series on Mobster Crazy Joe Gallo, the Steve and Mustache Chris draw striking parallels between Joe Gallo and Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group. Spanning decades and continents, the episode explores their tumultuous lives, with major conflicts like the Russian-Ukrainian war serving as a backdrop. From Gallo's battles within the American Mafia to Yevgeny  Prigozhin's deadly involvement in recent global affairs, the discussion delves into their complex legacies and why they both had scores of enemies. The episode also reflects on the idea of being a disruptor in different systems, comparing both men's motivations and ultimate downfalls.00:00 Introduction to the Unconventional Series Finale01:01 Comparing Crazy Joe Gallo and Yevgeny Prigozhin 04:21 Yevgeny Prigozhin's Early Life and Criminal Beginnings06:33 Prigozhin's Rise in Business and Organized Crime 20:22 The Wagner Revolt and Parallels to Joe Gallo32:28 The Center of the Universe: Joe Gallo and Prigozhin 's Impulsiveness39:25 Theories and Speculations: Who Killed Joe Gallo and Prigozhin? 41:23 The Rebellion and Its Aftermath43:36 The Futility of Prigozhin 's March 51:11 System Disruptors: Joe Gallo and Prigozhin's Motivations Transcript URL: https://share.descript.com/view/SPxcxYuYU17You can learn more about Beyond the Big Screen and subscribe at all these great places: https://atozhistorypage.start.pagewww.beyondthebigscreen.comClick to Subscribe: https://www.spreaker.com/show/4926576/episodes/feedemail: steve@atozhistorypage.com www.beyondthebigscreen.comParthenon Podcast Network Home: parthenonpodcast.comOn Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/@atozhistoryhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/atozhistorypagehttps://facebook.com/atozhistorypagehttps://twitter.com/atozhistorypagehttps://www.instagram.com/atozhistorypage/Music Provided by:"Crossing the Chasm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Tom Keatinge and Wagner expert Jack Margolin discuss how the group became a global mercenary powerhouse and how to counter the rise of such groups. With insights from Jack Margolin, author of ‘The Wagner Group: Inside Russia's Mercenary Army', this episode explores how the Wagner Group evolved into a global mercenary enterprise, profiting from conflict worldwide. With host Tom Keatinge, they unpack Wagner's unique financial model, the strategic use of corruption, and how sanctions aim to contain these shadow networks. As new players emerge to fill the vacuum left by Wagner, they highlight the urgent need for the global community to address systemic vulnerabilities enabling such networks and to disrupt the rise and operation of similar paramilitary organisations.

Conflicted is back, continuing our trip across La Françafrique this week, with a survey of the last 10 years in Francophone West Africa, and yes, you guessed it: it's insurgencies, jihadi movements and coups galore! Thomas and Aimen open up with a discussion of the anti-jihadist activities being carried out by the French in the Sahel since 2013, including the infamous operations Serval and Barkhane. But as jihadi movements grew, the French found themselves in hot water, which got even hotter as a new player entered the fray: the Russians, in the guise of the Wagner Group. We then discuss how the Wagner Group operates in the area, coming in after a coups across the region to cause France's influence to dwindle, and making instability become the plat du jour for many West African countries. Will the region ever get out of it? New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larry talks with former US Ambassador to Russia John J. Sullivan who was in Moscow during the invasion of Ukraine about his experience living and working in Russia, the Wagner Group's attempted coup of Vladimir Putin, and his book of memoires titled "Midnight in Moscow."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Conflicted Community episode, we invite the researcher and author Jack Margolin onto the show, to talk about his recently published book, The Wagner Group: Inside Russia's Mercenary Army. Jack is an independent researcher and expert on modern mercenaries, focussing on conflict finance, guns and crime in data, who previously worked with the The Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Continuing our Africa focus this season, Jack and Thomas discuss how Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of this Private Military Company, went from creating troll farms in St. Petersburg to sending troops to Syria and then Africa, with malign interests every step of the way. Jack explains how the ‘adhocracy' Wagner operate in the region sees them exploit local resources for monetary gain, while also bolstering Russian interests in the region by doing the jobs that nation states and more cautious mercenary groups were not able to do. But after Prigozhin's downfall last year, are the Wagner Group still around? And will they continue to offer despotic African governments something the West cannot? To listen to the full episode, you'll need to subscribe to the Conflicted Community. And don't forget, subscribers can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin died in an exploding plane widely attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it wasn't clear what would happen. Today, why the Wagner Group has been called the world's most dangerous private army, its relationship with Russia and how its business model creates a blueprint for others to follow.Related episodes:Not your typical army: how the Wagner Group operates (Apple / Spotify) How the 'shadow fleet' helps Russia skirt sanctions (Apple / Spotify) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian oligarch and leader of the notorious Wagner mercenary group, launched a "march for justice," seizing the southern city of Rostov in a move against Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, as quickly as it began, the operation was called off after mysterious negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Two months later, Prigozhin's plane crashed—reportedly downed by a Russian missile—killing him and several key officials. In this episode, William Adams joins Arnold Koch to explore the aftermath of Prigozhin's death, the shifting power dynamics within Russia, and the future of the Wagner Group.  

The Wagner Group is a Russian private military company (PMC) that gained attention in recent years for its involvement in various conflicts and operations abroad. The group is believed to have close ties to the Russian government, although the exact nature of their relationship remains somewhat secretive.The Wagner Group first gained attention for its activities in Ukraine, particularly during the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.It is believed that the group provided support to pro-Russian separatist forces in the region, playing a significant role in several key battles. However, the Russian government has consistently denied any official involvement with the Wagner Group.Since then, the Wagner Group has been linked to other conflicts and operations around the world, including Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic.They have been reported to provide military support, training, and security services to various clients, often in areas where the Russian government has strategic interests.Due to the nature of their operations and the lack of official transparency, detailed information about the Wagner Group and its members is often limited.The group has been the subject of media scrutiny and has been accused of human rights abuses, mercenaries' deaths, and destabilizing actions in conflict zones. However, the exact size, structure, and leadership of the Wagner Group remain largely speculative, as the organization maintains a secretive nature.The Wagner group has also played a key role in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. In this episode, we take a look at the situation that unfolded in Russia over the weekend and who some of the players involved in the game were.(commercial at 10:48)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner insurrection plunges Russia into uncertainty | CNN

On today's episode, Vanda Felbab-Brown, Director of the Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors, Co-Director of the Africa Security Initiative, and Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution joins Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to help make sense of the recent skirmishes in northern Mali between the junta, separatist groups, Islamists, and Russian mercenaries. They discuss what the recent ambush in Mali portends for Russian and Russian-aligned mercenaries' activities in Africa and look back at how Moscow has restructured and reframed the Wagner Group in the year since the death of its former head, Yevgeny Prigozhin.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/c/trumptrials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 896.Today, we discuss the development of drone warfare, the impact of Ukraine's strike on the Morozovsk airbase and the surreal case of the children of Russian spies who had no idea they were Russian.Contributors:David Knowles (Journalist). @djknowles22 on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.Ed Cumming (Senior Feature Writer). @edcumming on X.Jimmy Rushton (Security Analyst). @JimmySecUK on X.Articles Referenced:Dozens of Wagner fighters killed and Russian helicopter destroyed in Mali ambush:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/28/mali-attack-militants-wagner-ambush-soldier-dead-helicopter/Wagner Group massacre: ‘The victims were bloated and deformed – we could only recognise our friends by their clothes':https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/07/16/wagner-group-massacre-victims-bloated-deformed-could-recognise/Wagner is trying to reignite civil war in Mali, says US:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/30/wagner-trying-reignite-civil-war-mali-says-us/Putin sells African leaders ‘regime survival packages' to win influence, think tank says:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/20/putin-wagner-mercenaries-regime-survival-package-africa/Free Telegraph Subscription for Students. Enjoy free access to The Telegraph with your university student email address: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/studentsubSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, for another riveting episode of The Wright Report. This episode covers crucial developments shaping America and the world, featuring these updates: US Military Readiness: We dive into a sobering report from the bipartisan Commission on the National Defense Strategy, which reveals that the US armed forces are ill-prepared for a global conflict, facing significant challenges in both the Pacific and European theaters. Venezuelan Crisis: The political turmoil in Venezuela continues as President Maduro declares that his opposition will never gain power, leading to violent clashes and a rising death toll. We explore the implications for the region and the potential impact on the US southern border. Wagner Group in Mali: Russia's Wagner Group faces heavy losses in Mali while battling Islamic radicals. We analyze the broader geopolitical consequences and the potential for a natural hydrogen energy revolution in the region. Monkeypox Outbreak: A new, more transmissible and deadly strain of monkeypox spreads in Central Africa and Kenya. We update you on the situation and the efforts to contain the outbreak. Ukraine's F-16s: Ukraine receives its first F-16 fighter jets, but will they make a difference in the war? We discuss the logistical and strategic challenges that lie ahead. California's Renewable Energy: Stanford University reports that California met its electricity demand with 100% renewable energy for over 100 days. We dig deeper to understand the reality behind the headline. Dark Chocolate Warning: Researchers from George Washington University find high levels of heavy metals in dark chocolate and cocoa products, raising health concerns. We discuss the implications and potential solutions. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

The Middle East braces for the possibility of a full-scale war between Israel and Iran-backed forces after the assassinations of Hamas senior leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr; Venezuelans protest the results of the presidential election that grant incumbent President Nicolás Maduro a third term; the Edinburgh Festival Fringe spotlights wide-ranging, new talent; imprisoned journalists in Russia are freed in a major prisoner swap; and militant groups kill troops from Russia's private military company Wagner Group, including a Wagner commander, in Mali.     Mentioned on the Podcast   Steven A. Cook, “Are Israel and Iran Headed for All Out War?,” CFR.org   Edinburgh Festival Fringe   Edinburgh Festival Fringe App   Edinburgh Fringe Festival Recommendation Lists: Independent, Playbill, and Time Out Magazine   Kali Robinson, “What Is Hamas?,” CFR.org For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The World Next Week at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/twnw/israel-iran-tensions-escalate-venezuela-election-questioned-edinburgh-fringe-shines-and 

Tommy and Ben discuss Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's attempt to hold on to power after losing Sunday's election, the political debate over whether the US should sanction Venezuela, and what Vice President Harris should do in the next 100 days to pass the “Commander-in-Chief test.” They also talk about the escalating war between Israel and Hezbollah, Netanyahu's disgraceful speech to Congress, Kamala Harris's meeting with Netanyahu, far-right protests in Israel over an investigation into abuse of Palestinian detainees, and reports of a polio outbreak in Gaza. Then they go over evidence of UAE boots on the ground in Sudan, reports of an ambush of Wagner Group fighters in Mali, favorite moments from the Paris Olympics so far, and FOX news outrage over a misconstrued clip from the opening ceremony. Finally, Ben speaks to Phillip Gunson of the International Crisis Group about the situation on the ground in Venezuela following the election.

PREVIEW: MALI: RUSSIA: AL QAEDA: Conversation with colleague Bill Roggio re an ambush of Russian mercenaries, the Africa Corps (aka Wagner Group) by elements of the Tuareg-peopled Al Qaeda's JNIM in Mali. Many casualties and POWs. More tonight. 1888

Day 888Today, Ukraine strikes a Russian strategic supersonic bomber parked at an airfield in Russia's Arctic, The Wagner Group suffer a humiliating defeat in Mali, we assess Russia's Summer offensive and we tell the story of the city of Odesa during the full scale invasion. Contributors:David Knowles (Journalist). @djknowles22 on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.Roland Oliphant(Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.With thanks to Ben Farmer (Foreign Correspondent). @benfarmerDT on X.Articles Referenced:Ben Farmer's Dispatch from Odesa: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/how-ukraine-broke-russias-black-sea-grain-blockade/ Roland Oliphant on the Russian Summer offensive: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/27/how-russias-summer-offensive-is-failing-and-what-that-means/Free Telegraph Subscription for Students:Enjoy free access to The Telegraph with your university student email address: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/studentsub Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GOOD EVENNG: The show begins tonight at the NATO gathering in Washington -- where the leaders will debate the fate of Ukraine and Europe. FIRST HOUR #StateThinking: Mary Kissel on NATO going global and Robert O'Brien's work on nuclear forces #LondonCalling: Joseph Sternberg on denying the far-right at the EU and the rise of Nigel Farage SECOND HOUR #Markets: Liz Peek on the Fed's response to market trends and the Biden administration's missteps #BOEING #ISS: Bob Zimmerman on the connection between Boeing's failures and the delayed Starliner #ESA: Bob Zimmerman on the Ariane-6 launch THIRD HOUR #UK: Gregory Copley on Labour's command for at least 5 years and the future of the UK-US special relationship #TURKEY: Gregory Copley on Turkey's odd position in NATO and Asia Minor #KingCharles: Gregory Copley on the Order of the Thistle FOURTH HOUR #AFRICA: Caleb Weiss and Bill Roggio on Shabaab attacks and the Wagner Group in West Africa #SCOTUS: Eugene Volokh on whether AI language models like Claude enjoy First Amendment protections #NUKES: Henry Sokolski on whether new nuclear weapons should be designed with computer modeling or testing 1885 Grover Cleveland Memorial

PREVIEW: AFRICA: RUSSIA: Conversation with colleague Caleb Weiss of FDD in Africa re the Russian African Corps (aka Wagner Group) and its lack of rules of engagement with Islamists and suspects in East African states Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. More tonight. 1911 NIGER

Original Air Date: July 10, 2023 This week, Michael sits down with Estonia's Ambassador to Ukraine, Kaimo Kuusk, who has been in the post since 2019. Ambassador Kuusk will soon become the Ambassador to Lithuania, but before he takes his new post, he discusses the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the US decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine and his thoughts on Russia and Putin after the Wagner Group's mutiny.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices