Mark Galeotti

Mark Galeotti is a British historian who has spent decades decoding Russia’s power struggles and intelligence operations. As the director of Mayak Intelligence, Galeotti advises governments, businesses, and security organisations on Russia’s political landscape, foreign policy, and criminal networks. He has conducted briefings for NATO, Interpol, and the UK Parliament, and his expertise is highly sought after by global financial institutions and risk consultancies navigating Russia-related challenges.

After a stint with the UK Foreign Office, Mark Galeotti went from London to New York, Moscow to Prague, working as a scholar, think-tanker, and consultant. An Honorary Professor at UCL’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies and a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI, Galeotti writes regularly for The Spectator and The Sunday Times where he stands at the forefront of geopolitical conversations.

A prolific author, his books including Putin’s Wars, The Weaponisation of Everything, and The Vory: Russia’s Super Mafia are essential reads for anyone looking to grasp Russia’s impact on global security and business. Galeotti’s latest work, Downfall, co-written with Anna Arutunyan, explores the shifting power dynamics shaping Russia’s future.

With a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mark Galeotti has held teaching positions at NYU, Keele, and institutions in Prague and Moscow (until the Kremlin banned him in 2022). An extension of his popular blog, Galeotti’s podcast In Moscow’s Shadows delves into historical and contemporary topics around Russia. As a seasoned speaker, he has addressed audiences worldwide, from military academies to corporate boardrooms, cutting through the complexity of Russian affairs with clarity, insight, and a touch of dark humour.

Mark Galeotti is an expert at helping others understand the complexities of Russia beyond the headlines. His insights are marked by a reassuring lack of exaggeration, making him a reliable voice for those interested in dissecting Russia’s political landscape and global geopolitical implications.