E63: Why Wagner?

<p>In the past few months, Moscow has used the Wagner Group as the centerpiece in recent military operations in Ukraine.  This is very different from how Wagner has been used in Africa. Why is Putin giving a quasi-mercenary organization such a central and visible role in its war with Ukraine? There could be different reasons, each of which present advantages and significant risks: risks for Putin, for Russia, for Ukraine, and for future conflict and conflict resolution.</p> <p> </p> <p>Music: Liszt, Les Preludes; recorded by the USMC Band. Music and recording in Public Domain.</p> <p> </p>