Mark Galeotti

Mark Galeotti is a senior research fellow at the Institute of International Relations Prague, and coordinator of its Centre for European Security, also principal director of the Mayak Intelligence consultancy. He blogs on Russian security affairs at In Moscow’s Shadows and tweets as @MarkGaleotti.

Moscow's mercenaries reveal the privatisation of Russian geopolitics

Further revelations regarding the role of Russian private military contractors in Syria exposes how, under Putin, “state” and “private” are often one and the same thing.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 29 Aug 2017

On shaky ground: Russia’s FSB vs migrant radicalisation

Scrambling to address the growing threat of Islamist terrorism from Central Asia, Russia’s security apparatus is forced to depend on questionable foreign intelligence services.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 17 May 2017

The Czech Republic gives up on the EU – and foreign policy

Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek is justified in lamenting economic inequality and low pay, but his EU-bashing conveniently hides the fact that his own government has done little to address them.

By Mark Galeotti, Benjamin Tallis, Jakub Eberle, Michal Koran and Ondrej Ditrych

/ 24 Mar 2017

The Czech Republic gives up on the EU – and foreign policy

Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek is justified in lamenting economic inequality and low pay, but his EU-bashing conveniently hides the fact that his own government has done little to address them.

By Mark Galeotti, Benjamin Tallis, Jakub Eberle, Michal Koran and Ondrej Ditrych

/ 24 Mar 2017

The murder in Ankara is vultures coming home to roost

Russia’s “wins” have largely been destructive and destabilising. The assassination of its ambassador to Turkey shows consequences are never far behind.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 21 Dec 2016

“RepressIntern”: Russia's security cooperation with fellow authoritarians

The formal and informal links between Eurasia’s security services pose deadly risks for opposition activists abroad.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 22 Nov 2016

Goodbye, Bastrykin?

Moscow has a new motto: work a little harder, steal a little less. A big name may have just fallen foul of it.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 15 Sep 2016

Education in Putin’s Russia isn’t about history, but scripture

Russia’s new history is really about today. It is about everything from denigrating the status of Kyiv to shutting down historical debate.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 1 Sep 2016

Putin’s incredible shrinking circle

Ivanov’s departure leaves few voices able to speak truth to Putin.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 16 Aug 2016

Confessions of a Kremlin conspiracy theorist

Let's face it: movements inside Russia's power structures often signal exactly what we want them to.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 1 Aug 2016

No, Russia is not preparing for all-out war

Russia’s snap military mobilisation drills are an internal exercise. But troublesome relations with the west could still have unintended (and unpleasant) consequences.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 21 Jun 2016

Putinism won’t end with a bang, but an arrest warrant

New charges concerning several leading Russian officials reveal the greatest threat to the Kremlin's hold on power — elite corruption.

By Mark Galeotti

/ 10 May 2016