Putin’s Intelligence Services
From Modern War Institute by Modern War Institute at West Point
May 29, 2026 · 38 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the transformation of Russian intelligence services under Vladimir Putin and their global influence.
Shortly after taking power in Moscow, Vladimir Putin began consolidating his authority over the Russian intelligence services that had long been deeply embedded in Russian and Soviet politics and a pervasive influence in society. The degree to which he succeeded was striking, ultimately transforming them into organizational assets that remained effective at what they did but were entirely loyal to him. This episode features a discussion with former CIA senior operations officer Sean Wiswesser. The author of Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War, he shares his insights on Russian intelligence services’ role in pursuing Moscow’s objectives around the world—from the war in Ukraine to influence operations in Africa and the Middle East to information campaigns intended to subvert Western democracies. The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974.
People in this episode
Host: Modern War Institute
Guest: Sean Wiswesser
Topics covered
- Russian intelligence
- Vladimir Putin
- CIA operations
- global influence
- information campaigns
- Western democracies
- war in Ukraine
Keywords
- Putin
- intelligence services
- CIA
- Russia
- Ukraine
- influence operations
- information campaigns
- Western democracies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: CIA
Books & works: Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War
Places: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Africa, Middle East
More episodes of Modern War Institute
- The Weapons Defining the Iran Conflict · March 11, 2026 · 24 min
- The Iran Conflict's Strategic Dimension · March 8, 2026 · 1h 6m
- What to Make of the New National Defense Strategy · January 31, 2026 · 1h 23m
- Analyzing Operation Absolute Resolve · January 13, 2026 · 46 min
- Training, Education, and the Modern Battlefield · December 4, 2025 · 54 min
- Europe's Airspace Violations and the Counterdrone Challenge · October 15, 2025 · 46 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Modern War Institute podcast page.