In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen discusses the Kremlin's current Russian influence operations against and other countries in Europe with Luke Harding, Guardian foreign cortrespondent, and the author of \"Betrayal: Trump, Putin, and A New Age of Conquest.\"
Luke explains how Russian intelligence has shifted its focus from left-wing groups to right-wing populist parties, particularly targeting figures like Nigel Farage and the Reform Party in the UK. Luke and Nick discuss how Russian agent recruitment of Ukrainian Ilya Bilyik to attack mosques in London was part of a broader pattern of destabilisation operations, including the firebombing of Keir Starmer's home. Luke detailed Trump's long-standing connections with Russia dating back to the 1970s, including Soviet surveillance of Trump and his family, and questioned whether Trump serves as a Russian asset given his consistent pro-Russian policies in office. Luke examines Putin's war strategy in Ukraine, noting how Russian casualties exceed 1 million while making minimal territorial gains, and he talks to Nick about how Putin's approach of waiting out Western resolve while supporting far-right parties in Europe represents a new form of imperial conquest. Luke expresses concern about the West's response to Russian influence operations and emphasises the need for democratic countries to maintain their values and alliances despite current challenges.
Luke Harding @Luke Harding68. Journalist @Guardian is.a fomrer foreign correspondent * Moscow correspondent for The Guardian, and a former New York Times best-selling author. His new book is Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest. His publisher is @FaberBooks
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 regular Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must-read.
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