Statecraft Podcast Summary: "How to Run a Private Military Company"
Episode Release Date: February 28, 2025
Host: Santi Ruiz
Guest: John Lechner, Writer and Researcher
Book Discussed: "Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare"
1. Introduction to the Episode
In this episode of Statecraft, host Santi Ruiz welcomes John Lechner, a renowned writer and researcher specializing in the politics of Russia, Turkey, and several African nations. John discusses his forthcoming book, "Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare," which delves deep into the operations and influence of the Wagner Group, a prominent Russian private military company (PMC).
Notable Quote:
"Death Is Our Business. Aside from the obvious, the foreign relations piece, there are all these really interesting questions about how effective organizations work."
— Santi Ruiz at [02:06]
2. Origins and Evolution of the Wagner Group
John Lechner provides a comprehensive overview of the Wagner Group's inception and evolution. He traces its roots back to Yevgeny Prigozhin, an ex-convict who leveraged his restaurant business in St. Petersburg to secure contracts with the Russian military. The Wagner Group emerged around 2014, amidst the tumultuous events in Ukraine, notably the annexation of Crimea and the subsequent conflict in Donbas.
Notable Quotes:
"Wagner was never just one thing. What it did and what its purpose was depended on both time and space."
— John Lechner at [03:19]
"Prigozhin was an incredibly ambitious, entrepreneurial, vicious, cutthroat guy. He was more motivated by the deal."
— John Lechner at [25:28]
3. Recruitment and Motivations of Wagner Members
The discussion delves into the characteristics and motivations of individuals who join the Wagner Group. John explains that Wagner recruits a diverse array of individuals, from Russian patriots and former military personnel to Cossack fighters and even international recruits from conflict zones like Libya and Syria.
Key Points:
- Patriotic Sentiment: Many recruits are driven by nationalist fervor and a desire to further Russia's interests.
- Economic Incentives: Competitive pay attracts those seeking financial stability.
- Personal Identity: Some members view their involvement as a continuation of military service, finding camaraderie and purpose within Wagner.
Notable Quote:
"Very few of these guys were pure mercenaries in that they would fight for whoever paid them the most money. Most of them fought for a mix of reasons."
— John Lechner at [09:08]
4. Operational Deployments: Ukraine, Syria, Central African Republic, and Libya
John Lechner elaborates on the Wagner Group's deployments across various conflict zones:
- Ukraine: Wagner played a significant role during the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas, often acting as a catalyst for escalating tensions.
- Syria: Wagner's involvement was multifaceted, including frontline combat against ISIS and diplomatic missions, such as brokered peace deals.
- Central African Republic (CAR): Wagner's operations in CAR were expansive, encompassing diplomacy, mineral extraction, and even owning businesses like breweries.
- Libya: Wagner supported Khalifa Haftar's forces, demonstrating the complexities of international mercenary engagements where fighters from one conflict zone battle counterparts from their home regions elsewhere.
Notable Quote:
"In Libya, Syrians who are on opposite sides of the battlefield at home in Syria are fighting across the Mediterranean against each other in Libya."
— John Lechner at [15:03]
5. Comparing Wagner to Western Private Military Companies
The conversation contrasts Wagner with Western PMCs like Blackwater (now Academi):
- Operational Scope: Wagner engages in both defensive and offensive operations, unlike many Western PMCs that primarily offer security services.
- Integration with State Apparatus: While Western PMCs often embed within national security frameworks, Wagner operates with a blend of private initiative and state oversight, sometimes acting independently to expand Russia's influence.
- Economic Ventures: Wagner is involved in lucrative enterprises such as mining and resource extraction, aligning financial interests with military objectives.
Notable Quotes:
"Blackwater ... was in the business of providing security for individuals, maybe convoys ... They didn't have a mandate to take out ISIS cells."
— John Lechner at [21:07]
"Wagner becomes somehow a mixture of these two [Western PMC characteristics]."
— John Lechner at [22:58]
6. Relationship Between Wagner and the Russian Government
The dynamic between Wagner and the Russian state is complex. Initially, Wagner operated with significant autonomy, especially in regions like CAR where Russian institutional presence was minimal. However, as Wagner expanded into more strategically vital areas like Ukraine and Syria, their operations became more intertwined with state objectives.
Key Points:
- Covert Operations: Wagner often undertakes missions that the formal military may wish to keep at arm's length.
- Resource Struggles: Wagner relies on financial backing from figures like Prigozhin, who invest personal funds to initiate projects, hoping for state support in return.
- State Control: In critical areas, the Russian Ministry of Defense and intelligence agencies like the GRU and FSB provide oversight and integration.
Notable Quote:
"The Kremlin ends up supporting these separatists covertly and also supporting mercenaries ... one of those mercenary groups was sponsored by Yevgeny Prigozhin."
— John Lechner at [06:43]
7. Challenges Faced by Wagner
Wagner’s operations are fraught with logistical and operational challenges:
- Resource Extraction Issues: Efforts in mining, especially in CAR, faced significant obstacles due to infrastructural deficits and logistical nightmares.
- Internal Discipline: While Wagner strives to maintain a disciplined force, issues like alcohol abuse persist among some members, highlighting the difficulties in managing a semi-private military structure.
- Political Risk: Incidents like Prigozhin’s mutiny underscore the inherent risks of operating such a volatile and influential group.
Notable Quote:
"In a country that's at civil war, in an incredibly isolated and undeveloped place, it's actually a real pain to get diamonds out of the ground, get them washed in ... It's a total cash flow Nightmare."
— John Lechner at [25:08]
8. The Future of Private Military Companies in Russia
Post-Prigozhin, the status and control of PMCs like Wagner remain uncertain. The relationship between the Kremlin and these groups is continuously evolving, balancing autonomy with state oversight.
Key Points:
- Integration with Ministry of Defense: Emerging PMCs are increasingly subordinate to formal military structures.
- Oligarchic Influence: Wealthy individuals and oligarchs continue to sponsor PMCs, blurring the lines between private and state military efforts.
- Political Economy: The Russian government's constraints in funding and capacity make PMCs an attractive alternative for projecting power abroad.
Notable Quote:
"There's still room for private individuals and oligarchs to sponsor a PMC. This is like what Prigozhin was doing at the very beginning in 2014 when Wagner was born."
— John Lechner at [37:03]
9. Soft Power vs. Hard Power: The Role of Humanitarian Efforts
John discusses the strategic balance between soft power initiatives, such as USAID's humanitarian work, and hard power exerted by PMCs like Wagner. He emphasizes that humanitarian efforts significantly enhance a nation's soft power, offering an alternative to military interventions.
Key Points:
- USAID's Influence: Humanitarian presence fosters goodwill and counterbalances Russia's military engagements in regions like CAR.
- Perception Management: Russia perceives the Western humanitarian footprint as a strategic disadvantage, complicating their own interventions.
- Goodwill vs. Coercion: While PMCs may secure assets and influence, soft power initiatives build long-term relationships and stability.
Notable Quote:
"The presence of USAID was something that always put them on like the back foot ... They occupy a different space than Wagner or these other countries."
— John Lechner at [48:54]
10. Practical Advice for Conflict Zone Reporting
In response to a question about reporting in conflict zones, John offers invaluable advice based on his extensive field experience:
- Trust Local Contacts: Collaborate closely with reliable local sources and heed their guidance.
- Gradual Engagement: Familiarize yourself with the environment and build relationships before undertaking risky endeavors.
- Risk Management: Balance ambition with caution to ensure personal safety and the welfare of those you depend on.
Notable Quote:
"You have to make sure that you are working with people on the ground who you trust ... You just have to take a risk, but you have to make sure that you don't push yourself over."
— John Lechner at [45:07]
11. Concluding Thoughts and Future Implications
John reflects on the shifting geopolitical landscape, suggesting that the rise of PMCs like Wagner is indicative of a broader transition towards multipolarity and great power competition. He predicts that such entities will continue to shape international relations, especially in regions where state presence is minimal or contested.
Key Points:
- Multipolarity: Increasing involvement of multiple global powers in various regions.
- State Agency vs. Private Ambition: Balancing state objectives with the entrepreneurial motives of individuals like Prigozhin.
- Narrative Control: The ability to shape and influence global narratives remains crucial for both state and non-state actors.
Notable Quote:
"We are transitioning to that environment where people are now starting to reposition themselves. And when they reposition themselves, they further reify the threat narrative."
— John Lechner at [26:22]
Final Remarks
Santi Ruiz closes the episode by highlighting the intricate and multifaceted nature of the Wagner Group, praising John's in-depth exploration of private military companies and their impact on modern warfare and geopolitics.
Notable Quote:
"John's book, Death Is Our Business, Russian Mercenaries in the New Era of Private Warfare is a pretty thrilling read."
— Santi Ruiz at [52:44]
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