In Moscow's Shadows 239: Wars Foreign and Domestic

In Moscow's Shadows 239: Wars Foreign and Domestic

From In Moscow's Shadows by Mark Galeotti

March 8, 2026 · 50 min · Episode 239

About this episode

The episode discusses Russia's view on the Iran war and the dynamics of Moscow's criminal underworld.

How does the Iran war look to Russia, at once a potential morass for the USA (and Europe) and a case study, many in policy circles feel, on why not to trust Washington. It's also a laboratory for what one Russian military theorist called "non-contact war," and may help shape Moscow's notions of the future of conflict. Then it’s home to Moscow’s underworld, where a fragile peace holds between Shakro Molodoi and Badri Kutaissky, while younger “thieves‑in‑law” turn old grudges into proxy fights....

People in this episode

Host: Mark Galeotti

Topics covered

  • Russia's perspective on the Iran war
  • non-contact warfare
  • Moscow's underworld
  • conflict and peace
  • proxy fights

Keywords

  • Iran war
  • Russia
  • non-contact war
  • Moscow underworld
  • Shakro Molodoi
  • Badri Kutaissky
  • thieves-in-law
  • conflict
  • proxy fights

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: In Moscow's Shadows

Places: Iran, USA, Europe

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