| Description |
1 online resource (15 pages) : illustrations |
| Series |
Paper |
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Working papers (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
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| Contents |
Another tool for the Kremlin -- An improvised imitation of a PMC -- Power, profit, and denial : understanding Prigozhin's role -- Why Wagner is in Africa -- Wagner as a threat to U.S. interests -- Policy recommendations |
| Summary |
"Russia's return to the global stage as a major power relies on an array of diplomatic, information, security, and economic tools that help the Kremlin punch above its weight. One of the newest instruments in that toolbox is the Wagner Group -- a shadowy band of mercenaries loyal to the Kremlin and controlled by Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a member of President Vladimir Putin's coterie. Russian and Western media have been following the group's expanding footprint from Ukraine and Syria to Sudan, the Central African Republic, and now possibly Libya and Venezuela. But despite the significant attention, Western understanding of Wagner's role and capacity is still incomplete at best. This is partly due to Moscow's relentless disinformation campaigns and efforts to deny responsibility for Wagner's operations. Adding to the confusion is a false perception that Wagner is a private military company (PMC) no different than Western outfits like Academi (formerly Blackwater) and DynCorp International. A detailed analysis of the group -- including its origins, ties to the Putin regime, political and economic drivers, and capabilities -- is essential for Western policymakers to better gauge the threat Wagner poses and how to respond. The group may not offer the Kremlin entirely new ways to wage war or build influence, but its existence is emblematic of how a more assertive Russia often -- and at times implausibly -- tries to evade responsibility for actions beyond its borders. Wagner is also a window into the broader dynamics of the Putin regime, including how it harnesses the ambitions and self-interests of elites like Prigozhin to create deniable and flexible tools. The West should not overreact to the challenge from Wagner, but a multilateral, low-cost campaign to shed light on the group and constrain its options will reduce the risk"--Publisher's web site |
| Notes |
"July 2019." |
|
Series from resource home page |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (page 15) |
| Notes |
Online resource; title from PDF title page (Carnegie, viewed July 17, 2019) |
| Subject |
Private military companies -- Russia (Federation)
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Grupa Vagnera
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Private military companies.
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Russia (Federation)
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| Author |
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, publisher
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