Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War

Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin’s Secret War

Author: The Institute of World Politics May 6, 2026 Duration: 53:41
Unmask the shadowy world of Russian espionage in this lecture with Sean M. Wiswesser, a national security professional whose career spans nearly three decades across intelligence, foreign service, and defense institutions. Drawing on his experience as a senior operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency—including multiple overseas tours, war-zone deployments, and service as a chief of station—Wiswesser offers a rare, insider perspective on the evolving landscape of global intelligence. Centering on the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS), this talk explores the doctrine of Maskirovka—the art of denial, deception, and manipulation that underpins Russian strategy. Through historical case studies and firsthand insights, Wiswesser examines the structure and operations of Russia’s principal intelligence agencies: the SVR, GRU, and FSB. Topics include the use of double agents, surveillance and “street work,” honey traps, sabotage, active measures, assassinations, and the role of intelligence services in the Russo-Ukraine War. A Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wiswesser holds a bachelor’s degree in history and Russian & Slavic linguistics. He earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College in 2023, where he received the Russia Integrated Deterrence Award. Subscribe for more expert lectures and conversations at the forefront of global policy, strategy, and leadership. **Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academics/graduate-degree-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=3

Tune into The Institute of World Politics for a direct line to the conversations shaping our world. This isn't a series of lectures, but a collection of dialogues and talks from a unique graduate school focused squarely on national security, statecraft, and international affairs. Each episode brings you the voices of seasoned practitioners, scholars, and policy experts who grapple with complex global realities. You'll hear in-depth discussions on the ethical dimensions of foreign policy, the foundations of the American political economy, and the enduring principles of the Western moral tradition as they apply to contemporary challenges. The podcast serves as an audio extension of the Institute's mission to cultivate thoughtful leaders, offering listeners a chance to engage with ideas that inform real-world decision-making. It's an opportunity to sit in on nuanced conversations that move beyond headlines, providing context and depth on how nations interact, compete, and cooperate. Remember, the perspectives shared by guest speakers are their own, fostering a rich diversity of thought on critical issues. For anyone curious about the forces driving international events and the art of principled leadership, this podcast provides a substantive and compelling resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Institute of World Politics
Podcast Episodes
The War in Ukraine: An Estonian Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:48
Amb. Kristjan Prikk will discuss Estonia's views on the War in Ukraine and how the conflict is about much more than just Ukraine. About Lecture: - The tragedy unrolling in Ukraine right now is not a result of a temporary…
Maoist Revolutionary War Outside China [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Dr. Christopher C. Harmon discusses "Maoist Revolutionary War Outside China," a topic on which he is offering a class at IWP (IWP 706, https://www.iwp.edu/courses/maoist-revolutionary-wars-outside-china/). ***This event…
Keynote Address by Chen Guangcheng at IWP Commencement 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Chen Guangcheng, Chinese human rights activist and Distinguished Fellow at the Catholic University of America, gave the keynote address at IWP's Presidential Investiture and Commencement for the Class of 2023. Mr. Chen w…
Valedictory Remarks by Kevin Phelan, Class of 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:50
Kevin Phelan was recognized as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2023, and Gillian Hand was recognized as the Salutatorian. IWP's Presidential Investiture and Commencement Ceremony took place on May 13, 2023 at the Fairm…
Global Energy Security: The Role of Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:21
Panelists discuss issues concerning global energy security and Canada's role in supplying an alternative solution. This lecture took place at The Institute of World Politics on April 17, 2023. Speakers: Mr. James Rajotte…
The Myths and Realities of the 1968 Tet Offensive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:26
Dr. James S. Robbins, IWP Dean of Academics, gave a lecture on "The Myths and Realities of the 1968 Tet Offensive" at IWP's campus in Reston, VA on April 13, 2023. This lecture is part of the Asia Initiative Lecture Seri…

«1...678910