In the Media: Galeotti on Russian crime and policing

Professor Mark Galeotti is continuing to cover issues relating to the Russian underworld in all its murky forms for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). In two recent commentaries, he has considered the implications of the death of mobster Vyacheslav Ivankov (known as ‘Yaponchik’) for the underworld as a whole and explored the reasons behind the virtual failure of attempts to reform the Russian police.

 

In the Media: Professor Galeotti on Russian military corruption

RFE/RL, the service dedicated to reporting the news in 20 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established, has just published a commentary by Professor Mark Galeotti on corruption within the Russian armed forces. Linked with a breaking story relating to General Shamanov, commander-in-chief of the Russian paratroopers, it considers how far the government is likely to launch a more general crackdown and the extent to which a proposed military reform program represents a potential bonanza for criminals within the High Command. Its downbeat conclusion is that ‘Whatever happens to Shamanov, the likelihood is that Russia’s dirty generals will continue to enjoy business as usual – so long as they keep a low profile.’

 

In the Media: Mark Galeotti on Russian organized crime

The shooting on July 28 of notorious Russian godfather Vyacheslav Ivankov, known as ‘Yaponchik’ has highlighted the growing tensions within Russian organized crime, not least because of the impact of the global financial slowdown. Mark Galeotti — who warned about this danger at the end of 2008 — has as a result been in demand for news programs and briefings, from a live interview on the BBC World Service to briefing police officials in Western Europe.

Postscript: he has also written a piece on the background to the shooting and its implications for Russian organized crime on his blog, here.

 

CGA Faculty Mark Galeotti cited in Italian press on book debate

Educazione Siberiana, by Nikolai Lilin, became one of this spring’s unexpected bestsellers in Italy. Purportedly drawn from the author’s experiences growing up in the ethnic Russian enclave of Transdnistria, it explores the world of a transplanted criminal fraternity, the urka. Heralded by some for its insights, others have questioned its veracity, including Anna Zafesova of La Stampa, who has written this review of book, drawing in part on her interview with Galeotti, one of the leading experts on post-Soviet organized crime.

 

CGA Faculty Mark Galeotti on Russia’s Tambovskaya organized crime network

The Tambov grouping is the dominant organized crime force in St Petersburg, with contacts and operations across the globe. The June 2009 issue of Jane’s Intelligence Review (released online in May) has published one of the first English-language analyses of this network, by Mark Galeotti.

 

In the News: Mark Galeotti on Chechen murders

Professor Mark Galeotti was quoted in a New York Times article of April 7, 2009, on the murders abroad of a series of opponents of pro-Moscow Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, most recently in Dubai.

 

CGA Faculty Symposium ‘Post-Euphoria: Global Challenges Facing the Obama Administration’

The CGA hosted its inaugural faculty symposium on March 27, 2009. The all-day event, which drew a near-capacity house, was entitled: Post-Euphoria: Global Challenges Facing the Obama Administration. The talks showcased full-time faculty and focused on raising awareness of the national security and foreign economic problems that the United States is likely to face in the near future.

The day began with a keynote address delivered by Ambassador Richard Butler entitled  ‘Renewing Foreign Policy.’  This was followed by a panel on ‘Primacy, Perils, and Players: What Does the Future Hold for American Security?’ moderated by Louis Klarevas and featuring Mark Galeotti and Michael Oppenheimer. An afternoon panel on ‘Oil, Money, Aid, and Trade: Where Do We Go from Here?’ was moderated by Carolyn Kissane and featured Thomas Flores and Everett Myers. The day’s event culminated in a reception which allowed the audience to interact with the faculty of the Center – and follow-up on topics discussed earlier in the day.

 

Mark Galeotti on the ‘new Great Game’ in Central Asia

Russia and the USA are in competition over influence in Central Asia, but the conclusion drawn by Mark Galeotti in an article in the latest issue of Jane’s Intelligence Review is that neither Moscow nor Washington is calling the shots. Instead, the Central Asians are able to play them off against each to other to gain significant political and economic leverage.