Catherine Belton

Putin's People

In this deep dive into Catherine Belton's seminal work, 'Putin's People,' we explore the intricate, often invisible, mechanisms that consolidated power in modern Russia. Beyond the headlines, a complex web of intelligence networks, state assets, and personal loyalties meticulously shaped the nation. We examine how former KGB operatives, the 'siloviki,' systematically captured the state, blurring the lines between public and private wealth, and establishing a system where personal fealty, rather than formal institutions, became the ultimate currency of control. This episode offers a critical lens to understand not just Russia's trajectory, but the universal dynamics of power, ambition, and loyalty that can be weaponized to define an era.