1386: Sean Wiswesser | Inside Putin's Russian Intelligence Machine

**Russia's spy services are a bungling clown show that can *still* kill you anywhere. Here, ex-CIA officer Sean Wiswesser takes us inside Putin's secret war.** **Full show notes and resources can be found here:** jordanharbinger.com/1386 **What We Discuss with Sean Wiswesser:** - **Russian intelligence is a paradox.** It's comprised largely of bungling fools who siphon gas from their own surveillance cars and binge-watch *The Sopranos*, yet they remain formidable adversaries. What makes them dangerous isn't competence but real capability paired with no moral limits and no accountability. - **Corruption isn't a bug — it's the system.** Officers invent sources and pad reports with rewritten news to flatter the boss. That yes-man culture is how Putin was assured Ukraine would be a one-week war, now in its fifth year. A criminalized service takes reckless risks. - **The most insidious threat isn't assassinations — it's information warfare.** What Russia did in 2016 is now amplified thousands-fold by AI, and it targets American youth to erode their faith in democracy itself. The one thing democracy asks of us is an informed public. - **The West is fighting a hybrid war it won't name**, with severed undersea cables, a targeted German CEO, teenagers hired on Telegram for sabotage, and drones over Poland. Deterrence without consequences invites more, and Sean warns the Baltics are likely next after any Ukraine ceasefire. - **Democracy runs on an informed public, so *you* are the defense.** Slow down, resist reacting to clickbait on emotion, and check sources before you share. And if anyone ever tries to compromise or coerce you, report it — silence is the only leverage they hold. - And much more... And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here **— even one sentence helps!** - **Sign up for** Six-Minute Networking **— our free networking and relationship development mini course — at** jordanharbinger.com/course**!** - **Subscribe to our once-a-week** *Wee Bit Wiser* **newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!** - **Do you even Reddit, bro?** Join us at r/JordanHarbinger**!** **This Episode Is Brought To You By** Our Fine Sponsors**:** - **Xero:** One month of Xero for free: xero.com - **Paka:** Paka hoodie & crew socks: go.pakaapparel.com/jordan - **FlyKitt:** 15% off: flykitt.com, code JORDAN - **Progressive Insurance:** Free online quote: progressive.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.