In Moscow's Shadows 14: The Kremlin, Will and Empire; and, A Fistful of Books #1

Russia has long considered the so-called 'Near Abroad' of post-Soviet states to be its sphere of influence. But does it really have the will to assert hegemony? I'd suggest that it does not, in a whistle-stop tour from Belarus to Central Asia.In the second part, I look at some books that are new, or new to me, and think are worth highlighting:Tom Burgis, Kleptopia (William Collins, 2020)Gordon Corera, Spies Among Us (William Collins, 2020)Martyn Whittock, The Secret History of Soviet Russia's...