Putin’s Career Rooted in Russia’s KGB
Written in January 2000, this profile looks at the life and career of the then relatively unknown Vladimir Putin, who had been nominated as Acting President by Boris Yeltsin a month before.
The Astonishing Tale of the Man Mueller Calls “Person A”
Straight from the pages of a Cold War thriller, this is the story of Konstantin Kilimnik, the long time right-hand man to Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign Chairman. Kilimnik is now believed to have been an asset of Russian intelligence for a significant portion of his career as a consultant to a range of figures in international politics and business. Robert Mueller’s enquiry charged him on June 8th with two charges relating to obstruction of justice. For more on his former boss Manafort, see these from previous Journal editions (bit.ly/atlantic-manafort & bit.ly/slate-manafort).
The Amazing Story of the Russian Defector Who Changed his Mind
This story of espionage and counterespionage is, as it describes itself a “John le Carré novel come to life”.
What Putin Really Wants
A piece looking at Russia’s global influence that seeks to counter the common perception that Vladimir Putin is an all-seeing strategic genius, instead characterising him as a “gambler who won big” with his highly successful electoral meddling.
RT, Sputnik and Russia’s New Theory of War
An impressive piece of reporting, looking at the Russian propaganda machine, its highly strategic attempts to “undermine the U.S.-led liberal democratic order”, and some of its recent successes in influencing international geo-politics.
The Lord and The Patriot
The story of how Chechnya’s ruler Ramzan Kadyrov uses sport to project and consolidate his power. Stunts include organising a mixed martial arts bout for children featuring his own sons, aged between eight and eleven.
How An Entire Nation Became Russia’s Test Lab for Cyberwar
A piece examining the extent of Russian cyber warfare in the Ukraine.
How Ex-Spy Christopher Steele Compiled His Explosive Trump-Russia Dossier
The story of how the controversial dossier on President Trump was researched and compiled.
Vladimir Lenin’s Return Journey to Russia Changed the World Forever
The author retraces Lenin’s return from exile in 1917, a journey that was to have a profound impact on human history.
The Last World Cup
A look at the inevitable intermingling of geo-politics and technology with football and the World Cup. The piece’s thrust is perhaps best exemplified by the anecdote it contains recounting Sepp Blatter’s genuine ambition to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.