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
Repatriation of North Korean Refugees Escaping Through Southeast Asia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:27
About the Lecture This lecture is part of the Student Speaker Series The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), also known as North Korea, has one of the worst human rights records in the world, leading many of it…
Book Lecture: The Russian FSB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
About the Book ***This lecture is sponsored by the IWP IAFIE Alpha Student Chapter*** Since its founding in 1995, the FSB, Russia’s Federal Security Service, has regained most the domestic security functions of the Sovie…
Countering the CCP: A Conversation with Chairman Moolenaar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:00
About the Speakers: Congressman John Moolenaar represents Michigan's Second Congressional District, and currently serves as Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States an…
Pig Butchering and National Security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
About the Lecture: Pig Butchering, a slang Chinese term for the process of “fattening the pig before the slaughter”, has become synonymous with crypto investment scams. Investment scams have become the most costly cyber-…
Jason Hsu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:27
About the Lecture: The delicate balance between deterrence and reassurance in managing tensions in the Taiwan Strait calls for balanced action and management of measured risks. The talk will examine how strategic diploma…
Constitutional Thinking In The Early Cold War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
About the Lecture: Luke M. Perez will give a Constitution Day lecture on the topic of Constitutional Thinking in the Early Cold War About the Speaker: Luke M. Perez is an Assistant Professor in the School of Civic and Ec…
Soulcatcher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
About the Lecture: James Lawler’s talk, titled “Soulcatcher,” delves into the complex and often disturbing motivations that drive ordinary people to commit espionage. Drawing from his extensive 25-year career as a senior…