In Moscow's Shadows 249: Pragmatism in Asia

In Moscow's Shadows 249: Pragmatism in Asia

Author: Mark Galeotti May 24, 2026 Duration: 53:58
After Putin's Beijing visit - long on rhetoric, short on results - I look more broadly as Asia: the limits of the "friendship with no limits" with China, heding with India, and the ebbing of hegemony in Central Asia. In short, everyone is a transactional pragmatist, behind the talk of "all-weather partnerships" and "eternal friendships." But then again, isn't everyone everwhere, these days? The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and im...

For those looking past the day's news to understand the deeper currents shaping Russia, In Moscow's Shadows offers a nuanced and authoritative perspective. Hosted by the acclaimed analyst Mark Galeotti, this podcast serves as an audio companion to his long-running blog, creating a space for detailed discussion on the nation's history and, more frequently, its complex contemporary politics. Rather than rehashing headlines, Galeotti delves into the underlying forces-the cultural shifts, power struggles, and historical echoes-that truly define events. Episodes might feature a deep dive into a new academic work, a solo analysis of a developing situation, or a conversation with fellow experts, all approached with Galeotti's characteristic blend of erudition and provocation. The result is a consistently engaging listen that feels like a private briefing from one of the field's most informed voices. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a clearer, more substantive understanding of Russia, exploring both its visible machinations and the influential dynamics that operate, as the title suggests, just out of sight. It’s essential listening for anyone who appreciates context and commentary that challenges conventional wisdom.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

In Moscow's Shadows
Podcast Episodes
In Moscow's Shadows Bonus Minipod: Ukrainskii Sindrom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In Moscow's Shadows 185: The One With All The Stuff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 45:44
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In Moscow's Shadows 183: War and Peace (and Public Opinion) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:21
We pundits have done more than our fair share speculating on whether, how, when and with what consequences there could be peace or a ceasefire in Ukraine, but instead it seems a good time to see what various research pro…
In Moscow's Shadows 182: Things To Watch in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:59
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In Moscow's Shadows 181: Strap in for a Bumpy 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
Sabotage under the Baltic, a grudging apology, a possible attack on a Russian cargo ship, firebombing ATMs, energy blackmail in Moldova... what connects them beyond a sense that, having changed his rules of engagement ab…
In Moscow's Shadows 180: Keep Calm and Carry On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:48
What can one learn from Putin's 4½-hour-long end of year press conference? Essentially, his message to his people is that - however they might feel - everything is fine and they should stay the course. Meanwhile, over Uk…
In Moscow's Shadows 179: Sex, Drugs & Rocky Roads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
We tend to focus on the big challenges facing Russia: war, sanctions, the struggle of authoritarianism vs the remnants of civil society. Maybe it is time to look at some of the less often discussed problems that nonethel…