Description

Russia’s assault on Ukraine has reminded the world about the threat it faces from Moscow. But that’s not the only war that Russia has been fighting and Ukraine is not the only target. Long before February 2022, Russia was already engaged in semi-covert campaigns around the world, using any means possible to expand its power and influence and leaving a trail of destruction along the way.  In his new book Russia’s War on Everybody, long-term Russia-watcher Keir Giles examines what this longer war means for us all.

Instead of talking only to diplomats, politicians and generals, Keir has also looked at the effect of Russia’s ambition on ordinary people around the world. Interviewing 40 eyewitnesses from a dozen countries across four continents, including Canada, he has tried to tell the stories the world doesn’t hear about the impact of Russia’s hostility on individuals and societies that may not even realize they are a target – through corruption, disinformation, cyber offensives and more.  Keir will introduce the book and its findings, and take questions on what he has learned over three decades of studying Russia and how it tries to get its way at all of our expense.

About the speaker

Keir Giles has spent decades watching and explaining Russia. Currently a fellow with the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House in London, he has also worked with more than a dozen national and international defence research agencies around the world warning of the growing threat from Moscow. He is a regular contributor and commentator on Russian affairs for international print and broadcast media.  His previous publications include Russia’s ‘New’ Tools for Confronting the West (2016), and the Handbook of Russian Information Warfare (2016). Former president of Estonia Toomas Ilves said of his last book, Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia To Confront The West (2019) that "my only regret is that I did not have this book 35 years ago".