Show Notes
In this episode, investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan—both Visiting Fellows at the Department of War Studies—join Dr Daniela Richterová, Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies, to discuss their new book, Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation.
The book reflects on a generation of young Russians who came of age in the hopeful yet turbulent 1990s. In the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse, many embraced the promise of reform and openness. But economic turmoil, war and terrorism soon reshaped the country, as the state moved steadily toward authoritarianism.
Blending personal narrative with political analysis, Andrei and Irina explore how a once close-knit group of friends—united by shared ideals—fractured under the pressure of Putin’s rise. Some aligned with the regime; others, like the authors, chose exile. Drawing on two decades of reporting, they examine the rise of Russia’s security state and the moral decisions that shaped their generation.
More from War Studies
In the seventh edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (BA War Studies, 2002–2005), we take to the seas with Andrew Young (BA War Studies 2004-2007, current War Studies PhD candidate).
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In this episode of the War Studies Podcast, PhD student Charlotte Bascaule speaks with Admiral Carlos Chagas Viana Braga, Commandant of the Brazilian Marine Corps.
In the sixth edition of the King’s College London War Studies War Stories podcast miniseries, hosted by King’s alumni Rupert Lane and Nick Denning (BA War Studies, 2002–2005), Nick hosts and Rupert takes to the guest seat to speak about his own experience of war. As a young officer with 4th Battalion The Rifles, Rupert deployed to Basra, Iraq, in 2007, where he commanded a platoon given the task of defending the Provincial Joint Coordination Centre (PJCC), an isolated position in the centre of the city. One night in April, Rupert and 24 soldiers found themselves defending the PJCC against an attack by around 200 militia fighters. Over four hours, the defenders fought to prevent the position being overrun, for which the platoon was recognised with three gallantry awards, including two Military Crosses.
In this episode of the Breaking Cycles of Conflict mini-series, XCEPT's Dr Nafees Hamid talks to Dr Iain McGilchrist – psychiatrist, philosopher, neuroscientist and author of The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things – about how the brain's left and right hemispheres attend to the world in fundamentally different ways. They explore how shifts in hemispheric dominance have shaped trust, institutions and the rise and fall of civilisations throughout history, and what this means for how governments, mediators and practitioners build, and lose, legitimacy in fragile and conflict-affected settings today.