E54: The Military Element of National Power, Part 3 -- Mercenaries

<p>Since 2014, Moscow has used mercenaries in Ukraine, Syria, Africa, and other places to exert military power without accountability. Although these mercenaries, commonly referred to as the Wagner Group, never left Eastern Ukraine, they are now active again with the Russian invasion. Why? What is their value in a conventional war? What dangers do they present? That is the subject of this episode.</p> <p> </p> <p>For more in-depth discussion of Wagner and other Russian mercenaries, please visit Episode  2, “What Are Russian Private Military Companies”; Episode 4, “The Difference Between Russian Quasi-Mercenary Organizations and Western PMSCs”; and Episode 6, “Meeting the Challenge.”</p>