Best Mark Galeottis Podcasts (2025)

1
In Moscow's Shadows 224: In Helsinki's (and Kyiv's) Shadows 44:52

2h ago44:52

44:52

From where's Lavrov to whether it's time for Europe to speak to Putin directly, some questions with wider significance raised during my recent hectic trip to Finland. And, in the second half, how should we think about the likely fall of Pokrovsk and what to make of Ukraine's Midas Case corruption scandal -- and how it's being covered in Russia? The…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 223: After Putin, Who... or What? 42:39

15m ago42:39

42:39

We need to talk about post-Putin. It's fruitless at this point to try and come up with names of potential successors -- but maybe we can identify potential archetypes, the kinds of people who might succeed him, depending on the perceived needs of the day. The Julian Waller article I mention is here. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Co…

1
What is the meaning of freedom, Timothy Snyder? 56:37

5d ago56:37

56:37

Often considered ‘the value of values,’ freedom is increasingly interpreted in negative terms as the absence of interference, especially by prominent figures on the right. Historian and author Timothy Snyder argues that in order to achieve true freedom, we must ask about the moral and political structures required for human societies to flourish. I…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 222: Are We Seeing A New Putin? 47:43

5d ago47:43

47:43

The forthcoming release of the updated version of my WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PUTIN gives me an excuse to consider whether and how Putin has changed since I originally wrote the book in 2018. My conclusion: not so much a different Putin as 'Putin squared.' In the second half, I discuss and riff off Russia’s Turkish Wars. The Tsarist Army and the Balka…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 221: Is the Sun Rising over Russo-Japanese Relations? 39:19

13d ago39:19

39:19

The new Japanese PM wants to conclude a long-delayed peace treaty with Russia - but that will mean selling a thorny territorial dispute. Will Moscow show the cunning and vision to try and undermine Japanese support for Ukraine -- indeed, can it, while keeping China and North Korea happy? The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, whi…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 220: Power Politics in the FSB and a new 'Most Dangerous Man in Russia'? 44:55

25d ago44:55

44:55

Time to look at the spooks again. It seems that the FSB's Military Counterintelligence Department (in other words, the anti-coup squad) may be getting a new head. What does this mean for the internal struggles to replace the ailing current director, Bortnikov? Is 'crown prince' Sergei Korolev finally going to take his place? And what might this mea…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 219: Decoding Putin in Valdai 49:35

1M ago49:35

49:35

Putin's 4-hour keynote and Q&A at Valdai gives us at least some insight into his thinking and his assumptions, but the interesting thing is that the key themes are strangely also reflected in the thinking of some of his fiercest critics, as everyone oversimplifies a complex world. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which prov…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 218: Putin, the Blunderer-in-Chief? 58:44

1M ago58:44

58:44

We spend a great deal of time thinking about Putin's intentions, his strategy. Yet it's hard to argue that this position, mired in Ukraine, sanctioned and facing recession, is where he wanted to be. Maybe, then, a better way of trying to analyse his regime and Late Putinism's prospects is through his blunders... The podcast's corporate partner and …

1
In Moscow's Shadows 217: MiGs in Estonian skies, exercises on Poland's borders - a threat to Europe? 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

MiGs in Estonian airspace, military exercises in Belarus, talk of the next war against NATO being prepared. Are we under threat? Well, maybe that’s up to us. I look at recent events, and Carlo Masala's new book 'If Russia Wins' to wonder if the West risks encouraging Russian pressure and undermining its own position. The podcast's corporate partner…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 216: What Security Guarantees for Ukraine Might Work? 47:49

2M ago47:49

47:49

Zelensky said on Friday that "the basic document on security guarantees for Ukraine, and therefore for the whole of our Europe, is practically ready." I suspect this may be a stretch, but it is worth considering what might and might not work. Crucially, any guarantees must be credible, meaningful and sustainable, if they are to reassure Kyiv and de…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 215: A Tale of Two Coups 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

The 1991 August Coup and the 1993 October Coup are oddities, at once still very current in Russia, yet also veiled in myth and self-deception. Why? I'll argue is that together, they inadvertently paved the way for Putin. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises i…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 214: Law and Lawlessness in Late Putinism (or, Late Brezhnevism redux) 45:25

2M ago45:25

45:25

The FSB is trumpeting its arrests of Ukrainian saboteurs and demanding more surveillance powers. Prosecutor General Krasnov is set to become the chair of the Supreme Court. Figures have been released showing that corruption cases rose 16% in the first half of the year. Put together, how do these highlight the hollowing out of Russia, the convergenc…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 213: Foreign Agents in Russia, Foreigners in Ukraine... 50:28

3M ago50:28

50:28

After a brief comment on the frozen peace process, I look at the case of Sergei Markov, voluble Kremlin loyalist, who has just been declared a Foreign Agents. What's going on - he seems to have been caught by Russia's escalating feud with Azerbaijan - and what does this say about the decay of late Putinism? In the second half, I consider three rece…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 212: War and Peace and Alaska 46:07

3M ago46:07

46:07

Alaska was owned by Russia - was the summit also? Where is the world after the Alaska summit? Putin won, but did Trump really lose (I'd suggest not really, because his interests are not that opposed)? And if - if - we are any closer to a peace, what might that look like? Tickets for the Waterstones book event I mentioned in London on 4 September ar…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 211: Trump, Putin, Alaska... 46:08

3M ago46:08

46:08

So Trump and Putin are meeting in Alaska on Friday. Are we on the brink of peace in Ukraine or another mess? I wish I could be more optimistic. The 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. Yo…

1
MAX SMEETS: Ransom War | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 41:23

3M ago41:23

41:23

Ransomware is a growing threat in our digital world, changing how cybercrime works. In this podcast, Mark talks to Max Smeets, an academic and author, about the rise of ransomware as detailed in his book Ransom War. The book zooms in on the infamous Conti ransomware group, which disbanded in 2022, to show how these cybercriminal organizations opera…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 210: Is Russia Being Sentenced To The Digital Gulag? 44:58

3M ago44:58

44:58

With calls for WhatsApp to be banned and searching for 'extremist' material punishable by fines, there is much talk of a 'North Koreanisation' of Russia, of a 'digital gulag.' After a first half looking at developments in Ukraine, the war and international perceptions of threat, I dive into this issue. There are some interesting parallels with Sovi…

1
MATTHEW CAMPBELL: Dead in the Water | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 48:55

4M ago48:55

48:55

The global shipping industry, vital for international trade, is a hotbed for criminal activities like maritime fraud. In this podcast episode, journalist and author Matthew Campbell, co-author of Dead in the Water, joins Mark to unravel the Brillante Virtuoso case. In 2011, this oil tanker, traveling from Crimea to China, was reportedly attacked by…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 209: Eagle, Dragon, Bear - how the Ukraine war drives Moscow into Beijing's orbit 52:12

4M ago52:12

52:12

In the first half, I offer a (rather pessimistic) assessment of not just Trump's 50-day ultimatum but also recent EU and UK sanctions, before pivoting to explore how the US president has inadvertently made it clear that it is not him but China's Xi Jinping who has more influence with Putin. What is the nature of the Sino-Russian relationship, and w…

1
FEDERICO VARESE: Russia in Four Criminals | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 50:50

4M ago50:50

50:50

Russia in Four Criminals: Exploring Russian Organized Crime with Federico Varese. Join host Mark in a riveting episode of Underworlds as he interviews renowned academic and author Federico Varese about his book, Russia in Four Criminals. With over 30 years studying global organized crime, Varese offers unparalleled insights into Russian organized c…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 208: 5 Million Downloads and Counting! A Q&A Compilation 56:41

4M ago56:41

56:41

In Moscow's Shadows has crossed the 5 million downloads barrier! This happens to coincide with this being an episode in which I tackle Patrons' questions on everything from why Russians fight and Chinese legal and criminal influence in the Russian Far East through to who would play whom in the film 'Death of Putin', and my own impartiality. Enjoy! …

1
SANNE DE BOER - Mafiopoli: Living Among the ’Ndrangheta – Italy's Most Powerful Crime Organisation | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 45:02

4M ago45:02

45:02

Mafiopoli: Uncovering the ’Ndrangheta, Italy’s Most Powerful Mafia. In this episode of Underworlds, host Mark interviews Dutch journalist and author Sanne De Boer about her book, Mafiopoli: Living Among the ’Ndrangheta – Italy’s Most Powerful Crime Organisation. Based in Calabria, home to the rugged Aspromonte Mountains, De Boer reveals the ’Ndrang…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 207: What Is Going On Between Baku and Moscow? 45:04

4M ago45:04

45:04

In one corner, Azerbaijan's Ilhan Aliev, in the other, Russia's Vladimir Putin, two autocrats locked in an increasingly acrimonious political conflict sparked by, of all things, the arrest of some gangsters in Ekaterinburg. But it's bigger than that, and I locate the conflict in the context of Russia's receding role as regional hegemon, the politic…

1
GEOFF WHITE: Rinsed: How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World's Deadliest Crooks | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 55:21

4M ago55:21

55:21

Rinsed: How Tech Fuels Money Laundering for Cartels and Cybercriminals In this episode of Underworlds, host Mark interviews journalist and author Geoff White about his book, Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto: How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World's Deadliest Crooks. Discover how cybercriminals exploit platforms like Axie Infinity, Call of D…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 206: Corruption, Putinism's Achilles' Heel 56:59

5M ago56:59

56:59

After some thoughts about the recent NATO summit in The Hague, I focus on the perennial challenge of corruption. Even Russian officials are admitting it is again on the rise, and becoming more predatory, While there is a regular litany of middle-ranking officials charged and sentenced, there is no political will to tackle grand corruption at the to…

1
CARYN DOLLEY: Man Alone: Mandela’s top cop – exposing South Africa’s ceaseless sabotage | Underworlds with Mark Shaw 58:45

5M ago58:45

58:45

Man Alone: Mandela’s top cop – exposing South Africa’s ceaseless sabotage In this episode Mark sits down with journalist Caryn Dolley to discuss her latest book, ‘Man Alone: Mandela’s top cop – exposing South Africa’s ceaseless sabotage’. Man Alone follows the career of a remarkable South African police officer called André Lincoln, who passed away…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 205: The Peace Crisis that faces Russia after the Ukraine War 59:08

5M ago59:08

59:08

There is a range of serious practical problems that an end to the war in Ukraine -- whenever that may be -- will pose for the Kremlin. However, if the Soviet war in Afghanistan is any comparison, arguably every bit as important will be the narratives, how people frame the war and use it to attack or defend Putin's regime. I feel this is a political…

1
Season 2! Underworlds with Mark Shaw 2:14

5M ago2:14

2:14

Underworlds with Mark Shaw is returning for another season. Mark sits down with authors to discuss their investigations into the murky world of organized crime. In season two, we hear about a range of stories such as money laundering and cryptocurrency; the 'Ndrangheta's expansion from Calabria, Italy to other countries of Europe. Also the story of…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 204: The Opportunity and the Threat, Moscow and Iran, Moscow and the West 56:34

5M ago56:34

56:34

In the first half, I explore what the eruption of open conflict between Israel and Iran means for Russia. Will Putin be tempted to throw Iran under the bus? He certainly has much more scope and reason to do so than in 2022-24. In the second half, I climb onto my soapbox to consider -- criticise -- some recent rhetoric about the Russian threat and b…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 203: Can Putin Afford To End The War? 57:05

5M ago57:05

57:05

A pervasive argument is that for reasons personal, political or economic, Putin simply cannot afford to end his war: that he needs the excuse for tyranny, or that his economy would stagnate. I dig into these and other claims, and - spoiler alert - conclude that Putin could certainly afford to end the war... but that there are enough challenges to p…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 202: What Is This Resilience Thing Anyway? 57:18

6M ago57:18

57:18

An IMS on a Thursday? Although I'm still not quite yet over the cold that stopped me recording on Sunday, as I can't record next Sunday, needs must... In the first part, I look at recent development around Ukraine. Then, in the second, I look at the recent 'electoral wargame' held by Conducttr and spin off that more broadly to consider the challeng…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 201: Peacetalkers and Warfighters 50:21

6M ago50:21

50:21

Negotiations (of a sort) in Istanbul: a real engagement or just a piece of theatre? The answer, of course, is a bit of both. And what can one read into the elevation of Colonel General Mordvichev as the new commander of Russian Ground Forces? The link to the Conducttr wargame I mention is here. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conduct…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 200: Victory Day (whose?) 44:06

6M ago44:06

44:06

The 200th episode! Hard to believe. After briefly assessing Putin's late-night offer of talks with Kyiv, I dig into the Victory Day parade and what it means, especially from an international angle, and how it was part of a love letter to Xi Jinping. The events I mentioned next week in Prague are at CEVRO University, the Institute of International R…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 199: the General in GenPop 49:33

6M ago49:33

49:33

General Ivan Popov, once hailed as one of the heroes and rising stars of the Russian army, has just been sentenced to 5 years in a general regime penal colony on what seem questionable charges. What brought down this 'fighting general' -- and what does it tell us about late Putinism and the potential nationalist critique of the regime? The sign-up …

1
In Moscow's Shadows 198: War (in Russia's underworld) and Peace (in Ukraine)? 53:18

7M ago53:18

53:18

In the first half, I consider the latest twists in the saga of the US-pushed 'ceasefire' plan. Has Trump has an epiphany in the Vatican, or will Kyiv still face a choice of evils? In the second, I draw a line between the gunning down of a mobster in Tbilisi with the twilight of Putinism, through leaking roofs and the likelihood of mob wars. The pod…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 197: Russia's future fascist turn? 50:12

7M ago50:12

50:12

An intemperate recent interview from Foreign Minister Lavrov, at which he warned that 'fifth columnists' within the elite wanted to hand Russia to the West on a platter, is typical of a new tome of populist nationalism that got me wondering. Putin's Russia is often called 'fascist' but this is a label of dubious accuracy. Are there hints that Russi…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 196: Space, the Failing Frontier 48:10

7M ago48:10

48:10

In the first half, I look at developments regarding Ukraine (I'm getting more sceptical about Putin's interest in a deal) and profile former FSB general Sergei Beseda, 'the Baron.' In the second half, for Cosmonautics Day, I look at the ailing Russian space programme. The FPRI report by Pavel Luzin I mention is here. The podcast's corporate partner…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 195: Q&A, Part 2 51:42

7M ago51:42

51:42

A bonus second batch of questions, relating to war, peace and my attitudes to social media! The CASE survey of emigre attitudes is here. The RUSI commentary on the OSCE is here. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil …

1
In Moscow's Shadows 194: Q&A, Part 1 1:00:15

7M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Comrades! Forgive the tedious title, but this episode is the first of two answering questions set by my esteemed Patrons, covering Russian domestic and foreign policy, with another to follow covering the war and more. Climate change and oligarchic rivalry, Belarusian cunning and Central Asian balancing, all this and a lot more... The Washington Pos…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 193: Mishustin's Annual Report: what he says, what he doesn't 58:59

8M ago58:59

58:59

One, I suspect, more for the wonks. I dig into Prime Minister Mishustin's lengthy and not-so-exciting annual report to parliament, and the responses from the 'opposition' for what is said, and what's not. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 192: What if Ukraine could join the EU in months, not years? 58:09

8M ago58:09

58:09

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has suggested Ukraine should be allowed into the EU on 1 January 2030 (by which time the war will be over or frozen...). What if it could be in months not years? It won't happen, for all kinds of reasons, but let's entertain it as a 'what if?' thought experiment. PS: I got my digits muddled: it's Article 42, cla…

1
How new is the new world order, Margaret MacMillan? 39:21

8M ago39:21

39:21

We are witnessing changes in the world order which many thought we would never live to see. The US, long a bedrock of democracy, appears to go heading down an anti-democratic path. Traditional alliances are falling apart, while longtime enemies are drawing closer together. Meanwhile Europe, long a central player in geopolitics, seems increasingly s…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 191: How is Russian Foreign Policy Made? 51:57

8M ago51:57

51:57

What shapes Russian foreign policy? I start by looking at the core issue of the moment, Moscow's thinking over the proposed ceasefire, then consider more broadly what kind of a bizarre and varied mix of institutions and individuals actually shape policy. The Sunday Times article I mention is here. The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Cond…

1
Are the tech bros taking over the White House, Eoin Higgins? 31:02

8M ago31:02

31:02

Tech billionaires are exerting an enormous influence on the current Trump administration. It is not just Elon Musk and DOGE who are reshaping the American state. Behind the scenes, figures like Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks are pushing an anti-regulation agenda and an anti-democratic entrepreneurial vision of politics. In this conve…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 190: Sanctions, Spies, and Suspect Legitimacy 51:02

8M ago51:02

51:02

Reflecting the chaotic and fast-moving nature of the times, another podcast of two parts. In the first, looking at various issues of the week, from Trump's apparent threat to increase sanctions on Russia to a spy case in the UK. In the second half, I look at two recent books, Political Legitimacy and Traditional Values in Putin's Russia, edited by …

1
What can we learn from the Peasants' War of 1525, Lyndal Roper? 45:30

8M ago45:30

45:30

We are living through a time of immense upheaval, with geopolitical, social, and economic shifts reshaping our world every day. However, this is not the first time humanity has faced such dramatic changes. In this episode, Misha Glenny and Eva Konzett are joined by historian Lyndal Roper to take us back 500 years to the Peasants' War of 1524–25 – t…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 189: Oval Office Mugging and Russia's Police in Crisis 49:08

9M ago49:08

49:08

Much as I would love not to have to keep talking about Trump, it's inevitable that I cover the extraordinary events of this week: Trump as King Lear, demanding obsequious flattery, Zelensky perhaps ought not to have made the trip to DC. So where now? And in the second half, the Russian police in crisis, demoralised, under-strength and with corrupti…

1
Is Trump preparing a constitutional coup, Mark Medish? 41:12

9M ago41:12

41:12

In this episode of Future Discontinuous, we dive deep into the political turmoil following Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. From overhauls in US domestic policy to disruptions in global diplomacy, this episode breaks down Trump‘s dramatic reshaping of the world order. Together with Mark Medish, policy consulta…

1
In Moscow's Shadows 188: War and Peace and Trump 47:45

9M ago47:45

47:45

In a more-freeform-than usual episode, I consider the aftermath of the Munich Security Conference, why Trump is such a Putin fanboy (more about being a wannabe strongman than because of any kompromat), and what this means for peace in Ukraine. The summary? There is no deal on Ukraine, and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, but there is at least a…

1
Are Ultra-Processed Foods the New Silent Killers, Rosie Boycott? 41:06

9M ago41:06

41:06

Ultra-Processed Foods lie at the heart of a global increase in a variety of chronic and fatal diseases from cancer to Type 2 Diabetes. The food industry has been pouring billions into convincing governments not to regulate these additives which make everything from baby food to burgers addictive, persuading customers to return for more. Rosie Boyco…

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