Putin’s lacklustre KGB career has led to ‘failures’ in Russian intelligence | Calder Walton
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2023
- Vladimir Putin’s successful career as a KGB operative was ‘built on a lie,’ and intelligence interventions by the Russian president are leading to big mistakes on the world stage, according to Calder Walton, an intelligence and national security expert.
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Interestingly Putin's ex boss said that Putin was nothing more that a middle management interpreter and that but for the fall of the Soviet Union that's all he would ever have been.
Right place, right time applies to all politicians really. They're not rocket scientists.
Putin was chosen by the puppet masters and they will decide how Russia evolves
And Napoleon would have been nothing but a low level French officer if it wasn’t for the French Revolution… sometimes the collapse of the elite allows for the smartest and boldest to rise above
He was an informer on his own. a CPSU stooge
@@niemanickurwa
Putin was handpicked to rise to stardom, because various people saw the treachery, evil and wickedness of his personality, they saw him as an asset to protect them during their time of crime and long after they've retired, he started his crime career in At Petersburg where he was tasked with providing license for new business, he took bribes and a cut of everything left right and centre, he was then promoted from there because he protected some very very nasty corrupt people, this act made him get noticed and elevated to Moscow where he was given a job in the FSB, then being it director, the. Prime Minister, then President.
Never underestimate the enemy.
“Putin liked reading spy novels”
Especially the killing parts.
I think you have him confused with the DNC. At least Putin kills in such a way that everyone knows he did it while keeping his hands clean
Trump like to watch movie but only the violent parts. He an his bff Putin have similar personalities.
@@LiberalinOregon Stupidiocy without a source
Looking at early photographs of Putin, he was surely the runt of the litter and was never expected to survive. The word "puny" certainly comes to mind.
Maybe a case of puny bodypart syndrom.
Fantasy Island UK 🇬🇧
Mr. Walton failed to add that Putin was able to rise quickly in the mayor's office of St. Petersburg in Russia owing to the fact that the mayor was one of his law school professors. Putin's fluency in German and his KGB contacts were essential for that kind of work.
Got my eyes on that disaster of a human since the Kursk submarine 'incident'.
Hoped for the best but in vain.
I was born 1950. Been 'with' Illegal invasion of Ukraine' since day one. I talk to seemingly intelligent people, who just do not GET IT- like what this is all about. Thank you Calder and Times Radio- for trying to make things clearer. I feel its a matter of RESEARCH and disseminating - dis-information- that is not difficult- thats why we have brains and its not a matter of bias either.
But your comment is lamentably devoid of 'brains', and hopelessly mired in bias
It's about nato expansion
Nice to see a bit more depth - very thoughtful conversation on possibly the most important underlying challenge facing society (misinformation), drilling down from the malicious manipulations of an autocrat to the heedless habits of individuals. We are living in the Tower of Babel, oblivious to the warnings around us.
Well said.
I love the way the interviewer lets the guest speak is mind, take the time to explain by not interrupting him in the middle or push him to follow the angle she wants.
That's freedom of speech.
Great interview.👍
Fully agreed 👍
The emperor has no clothes. His paper tiger military is collapsing. His empire is collapsing.
You're right if you're referring to NATO and western hegemony
Putler; a second rate clerical KGB worker in a second rate posting(Dresden).
Kicked out when the wall fell.
Thing is though, Putin is the richest man in the world, and is incredibly powerful. Do not underestimate Putin.
Putin has failed with Ukraine, but Putin has been incredibly effective in corrupting politics, and destroying nations globally. The U.K. with Brexit and Trump and the Republicans in the USA are both examples where Putin has impacted other nations.
@@dallen521Ah - so Russia is a meritocracy? And it's always easier to smash things up rather than build, is it not?
@@dallen521
That’s why Ukraine has to win.
@sadlien521. Very well said
patverum - a third rate commenter with a third rate comment
Very insightful and informative. It is why I subscribe to The Times
Yeah, they’d never lie to you…😉
@@chongxina8288 Make an allegation and name an evidentiary source. Otherwise, keep your braindead BS to yourself. It's so funny that Russian mob puppets like yourself think you can come into a report about the nature of the FSB without everyone seeing right through you.
Putin and Russia push propaganda not the Times… organized crime (US corporations) have no influence on the US government and that’s why we are better than those evil Russians
@@chongxina8288*yawn* 🙄🤡
An enlightening interview which expands upon what has been previously stated. I remember hearing about Putin's mentor in St. Petersburg who was part of a local crime organization and introduced him to martial arts.
I believe the commies banned normals from learning karate
"Russian Intelligence"? Isn't that an oxymoron? 😂
U 🤡
@@MerryOlSoulGigglesmith🤡=🇷🇺🚽💩
It is! 😂
Not very original
Projecting the shadow?
FSB is like a mafia enforcer.
And when did you work there?
Will it be possible that american people vote for a man who is undoubtly putin's ally.??? It would be the last straw for USA.
Yes. The American people will not vote for but because of the crazy electoral college system bring Trump to power again.
Trump has convinced his cult Putin is great. They will willingly give up democracy for tfg and his bff Putin.
Mr Walton also failed to add that Putin worked for the KGB AS A LAWYER, NOT AS A SPY
Confirmation Bias is the enemy of Critical Thinking.
Indeed.
One of them, anyway. There are so many!
Thanks TR for hosting this. In depth and interesting. But old news surely....we heard well before the invasion that he was a failed and ineffective agent. But never underestimate a loser.
Never, as evidence to tRump’s ongoing mischief
@@dankelly2147 explain
Australia/ Thank you. Very interesting report and I,ll look for Calder Walton's book. We NEED these people.
All these years Putler tried to present himself as the ideal man. In reality, he's a giant with feet of clay.
Giant and putin is an oxymoron.
A giant who's about 5' 6".
I always found it funny how so many people thought Putin was a 3D chess player. He’s a man with an average intelligence with delusions of grandeur.
But he never' tried to present himself as the ideal man'. That's just your prejudice talking
@@robertatkins9419 Well, he’s far from the ideal man, waging wars, killing political opponents. The fact he killed two pilots and an air hostess just to get rid of a potential threat showcases his out of control psychopathy.
20:50: That wasn't an indictment, it was an impeachment; wildly different process. Otherwise great interview.
It shocked me that he appeared not to know the difference.
Was going well until TDS kicked in.
Exactly, these lefty journalist (I know, redundant) can’t help themselves and show their obsession with Trump. Everything comes back to Trump for them. Sad!!
@@peteracain Perhaps take a step back and ask yourself how much TTS, or Teflon Trump Syndrome is influencing your perspective. There were certainly overzealous people in the FBI who tried to entrap Trump, but the right wing media have been very adept at overhyping that aspect to divert from the overall picture of the man and his dysfunction..
@@nerdyali4154 all good. Don't even live in US. I'm a medical professional and recognise disease and psychological derangement when I see it. Nothing to discuss
Fantastic interview, thank you.
Interesting interview but the closing minutes of the interview put some doubts into my mind. Calder says - Social media needs to be regulated...to control the spread of disinformation ....Musk is hard right. Problem is who defines disinformation when governments are some of the main spreaders of disinformation.
Yes, he contradicted himself a bit there as he urged people to get their information from a wide selection of sources as possible. Holding up the BBC as a reliable unbiased source of information is laughable!
Musk is hard right though
You're right to have doubts, and well-spotted
Interesting how people who believe in free speech and the first amendment are considered hard right. Cognitive dissonance much?
@@jamesweber436 that's not what anyone said...
If we are honest then we have to admit that the ambition of most politicians vastly exceed their intelligence, and usually also their integrity. Just take a look at Sunak and his cabinet: and what's waiting in the wings to replace them after the next election.
Sure Ivan !!
Both sides, eh?
Rishi Sunak is NOTHING like Vladimir Putin.
Quick question for you, Ivan: would you prefer Putin or Sunak to have your fate in their hands?
I don't disagree with the sentiment, but I don't equate the level of corruption (Tweedism) in the UK with the kleptocracy in Czar Putin's land. The ruling elite's lack of respect for life is a couple of orders of magnitude worse in Russia. It never hurts to compare and contrast though. The UK definitely has room for improvement. Many are happy to siphon off a slice of tax payers money for doing nothing and/or not delivering value for money.
Blessings, peace and luck from California to Ukraine 🙏🙏✌🍀💙💛
Great job.
Be hopeful Social Media is our third run at this. Radio first, non editorial speech right into the living room. Then TV.
My wife complained to me "you say you don't agree with "this", how do you know?" I replied, critical thinking. think think and think again. If it is statistic and the Chinese gave it to you, it is wrong. start there. How do we know the population of china? from china, is there another source? no, it is most likely a lie then. Same applies to Russia, each Oblasts budget relies on the population, therefore the population is most likely inflated.
Compared to the spectacular rise of Zelensky and UK 's own Boris ❤❤❤❤
What ever happened to the reports of entire floors of uncle donny's hotels standing empty whilst being rented to Russian "business men"?
After the Democratic Party financed Steele dossier and its use, you ask that question?
@@dholmes2039 yes I did
Not all personnel who were employed by the KGB were intelligence...
Or intelligent .
@@rajlowkie6616 Exactly 😄
In relation to Trump, I say never attribute to malice what could be reasonably attributed to false bravado, narcissism, self aggrandisement and general douchebaggery.
False bravado, narcissism, self-aggrandizement, and douchebaggery are more or less the definition of malice.
@@donnievance1942 Not really. Malice is a deliberate desire to cause harm to others. Being self-centred makes you capable of causing harm without having the self awareness to understand why people hate you.
People think that spys are going to steal secrets but they really don't do that what they actually do is they collect People who have character faults those who are weak corrupt selfish and dishonest are the best people to subvert
Wow - fantastic interview - thank you both and Times Radio.
The best insight so far.
Common knowledge for like 20 years. How it is that so many people were not aware of these very basic facts is mind boggling.
What is 'mind boggling'' is that you have been under the mistaken impression for 20 years that he worked for the KGB as a spy, when in fact he was a lawyer
He is just obsessed and if he has to lie about his past no big suprise Vladimir Fleming as putin Bond 007, he is a legend in his own timeline.The sooner he has blue lips and no pulse the better.
For the most part I consider the interview with Calder Walton very enlightening yet I want to point out something that I believe he got totally wrong. Towards the end of the interview he stated that Elon Musk was "hard free speech". Nothing could be further from the truth!
You are right but also he says "hard right... hard free speech" and he makes a face that means it has an implication which is that hard free speech guys are not for free speech but for hard free speech which is different somehow, meaning they use that discourse to promote hate speech and many many times russian propaganda.
Really excellent interview. How do we begin to educate the people on this new monster social media? I really wish everybody well and with the elections in the USA and with all the craziness in the world right now. It's educate ourselves as was said, try not to go with a sensational try and go with a steady and the trusted
'This new monster social media'? You do realize that you are utilizing social media right here, don't you? And do you want to return to the days when information was strictly curated via the establishment? Or are you perhaps a member of that very establishment?
AMAZING❤❤
He handles wars and battles horribly. He mostly had a desk job as an employee of the KGB. Original job description was trainee secret agent. His license to carry a gun was taken away as he used to ask out East German girls. He was confined to a desk job early on, as others were afraid he may irritate parents of young German girls in the area. He didn't care as some trainee spies were only given one bullet anyway, just to commit suicide. His job primarily was that of a translator and interpreter. Despite having a desk job, he was allowed to keep appearing in department promotion exams. He kept his job because he always performed well in promotion exams similar to police officers promotion exams in the US. When he came back to Saint Petersburg, he became invaluable as an organizer to the mayor in the newly democratic nation. Mayor knew him from law college. He had a slight blemish in his employee records files as he had applied to attend a concert show of Fats Domino in neutral Vienna, Austria early on in his career.
Meh, I would venture to say that the KGB and organized crime were blended long before that.
Organized crime always blends with the power structure in some shape or form, no matter the form of government.
There are problems with open communication, but there are problems with controlling speech as well. The particular balance must stem from a nuanced understanding of the sociology. To just say “ regulate” is to walk blindly into a trap of even deeper distrust and division within society. Probably not the way forward. If the lack of an immediate answer compels anyone reading this to want to come up with one, I can assure you, in this case there isn’t a clear answer, but over time the right questions and their answers will emerge no doubt.
Let's start with stopping to determine for the people what's the truth (ministry of truth pushes factcheckers on social media, which is very 1984). Over the last three years shoddy factchecking has set public trust back for maybe decades and that public reaction makes some people even applaud Putin for his lack of Western values :(
There is an answer which resulted from centuries of bitter experience, which is that you do not limit the freedom of speech, with exceptions for the deliberate incitement of violence. We are now facing the perennial problem of people who have not experienced the results of limits to free expression thinking that they know better. NEVER trust anyone who thinks they are wise enough to know what limits should be placed on others freedom of expression. British Home Secretaries abuse this power to decide who should be allowed into Britain based on past statements. When a Home Sec says something like "we in Britain abhor... don't want such people......" and denies someone entry for what is legal speech it makes me cringe.
The events leading to the rise of Putin, and how he and his coterie changes Russia after he became president, have been covered in depth in the book "Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and then Took on the West" (2020) by the British journalist Catherine Belton. Judging by the hesitations in the interview, Calder Walton is not nearly as well informed about these events as Belton is. I recommend the book.
Agreed, he just mentions a few crucial inflection points in Pee's bio, and it is obvious he did not do any serious homework really
Someone hesitating before an answer is NOT evidence of a lack of knowledge. In many cases (including this one) it is evidence of careful consideration. He is weighing how much information is ideal to impart, the viewers and interviewers level of education. I suggest you rewatch the interview.
The book while lauded has also had errors pointed out. In case you hadn't noticed, since February 2022 Putins intelligence service and the war coordination has been on full display...not his greatest moments
@@robinkelly1770 I suggest to look into KGB General Anatoly Trofimov bio.
Why haven’t any of those Roosky demons taken him out yet?
Because Putin is the demon. I think you missed the plot.
Fear of windows and tea.
Because they're not 'demons'
His anti-Trump rant hurt his over all credibility. His claim that Trump has threatened to withhold aid to Ukraine unless it makes peace with Russia sounds preposterous. I have never seen that statement. In any case, Congress makes that decision and not the President. Moreover, there is strong bi-partisan support for aid to Ukraine. Trump was no more accomodating to Putin than was Obama who did virtually nothing when Putin annexed Crimea. His Trump Mania weakened his presentation. Half the USA will completely discard it.
Trump was impeached because of that phone call to Zelensky.
Facts are important.
Pootins long list of failures....
Shared on Twitter
Imagine someone saying I used to play with LeBron he wasn’t that good that’s what this sounds like who cares about his failures he runs an entire country how about that?
What’s the world coming to when journalists consider Elon Musk ‘hard right’ because he’s ‘hard free speech?’
Trusted sources?- YES and regulation for social not-working sights- YES. THEY are publishers ! -with that comes responsibility (one would suppose) Its should be a criminal offence to influence -without true,proven FACTS. Free speech?- yes, love that/ BUT- that is abused greatly now, there-by being open to corruption.
During the last three years, we've gotten a small preview of how bad the effect of "factchecking" can be on actual factuality and science - with untrusted sources spouting harmful halftruths, and trusted sources spouting other harmful halftruths that happen to coincide better with what was determined to be the checked "facts". Luckily the quality of the mainstream narrative on Russia is a lot better, but before entering into full on regulation, we need to take a good hard look at how it should be done in a non-Orwellian manner, maybe open and free except for (state) actors who abuse it for hybrid warfare.
Did Putin meet Prigozhin (the dodgy burger barman) when he was taxi driving?
Much less a spy,much more a secret policeman?
Again this reporter does a great job! Such a good and important piece of journalism.
turn up the sound
Perfect
Great interview, thanks.
What about Boris Johnson's close connections to Russia?
An excellent review 👏
Failing a language test doesn't mean that Putin had "no" ability, just that he couldn't follow the "illegals" path. He clearly has significant ability as political actor.
Acting might be one of his stronger abilities. Just as with other politicians you never know whether they're acting or acting.
Not in my opinion. The only people he really managed to fool were Western leaders who constructed their own fantasies about him in their own interests. His actions spoke for themselves to anyone who bothered to listen. He basically mastered the art of letting people delude themselves about him.
Another parallel with the army, Corporal will become leader of the fatherland.
Very interesting fellow!
💛💙💜💙💛 criminally insane 🖤Putin 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸
I really like th interviews of Morgan Burdick but I’m not sure the guest here is very well informed.
TDS
The Worst! A Mid-level Mouse that is a social climber!
What was that this 2020 “assassination plot on US soil”? I seem to not remember that. 🤔
Do you not recall January 6? Gallows made for Pence etc?
@@robinkelly1770
Are you sure that’s what the speaker was referring?
There was one Russian at 1/6 after he quickly left the USA.
Because it only existed in the allegations of the intelligence services - you know the ones: ''We lied, we cheated, we stole'
Wow, Russia collusion! back with a vengeance.
Do you all even adjust the volume before you upload these? One vid is loud while the other is barely audible, one person is in your face while the other whispers. I love watching your videos but damn that's frustrating, I can barely hear this guy.
I’m sorry but if someone say “to everyone’s surprise” that means he knows nothing about anything
I additionally view content from AlJazeera and DW. AlJazeera I find particularly divorced from Western narratives, and thus useful.
Yes, they are good news sources relating to this subject. Although I would rate France24 just above DW.
So Putin's career in the KGB was like DeSantis's career in Top Gum?
The truth about Putin? Let me tell you a little story. A friend of the family lived in the divided Germany, the GDR or DDR, and she was a neighbour of Putin and his family in Dresden.
Putin was just a paperclip counter. He had close relations with the STASI.
When the Wall came down ( Putin never expected that that would really happen) a week later, in panic, he packed his clapped out Lada, including wife and kids and a washing machine and fled to St Petersburg. So much for an "high ranking" position.
And now he leaves bodies in his wake. He really is like a Mafia boss.
This is nothing like 'The truth' about Putin. And you really are a disinformation peddler
Wow
Is Putin informed by Machiavelli? The Commentaries On Livy?
Cowardice
Vlad, Wagners are coming 4 u.
Anyone who is watching this talk on how and why Putin came to power in Russia also needs to watch the excellent documentary by Adam Curtis 'traumazone'.
Well, - at a press conference, with Putin beside him, what would expect him to say ? What would anyone say ? Trump is history anyway, he's too old now.
Oh dear. Not again. Can we not find people like Michael Clark form these interviews? The boredom of having to listen to interviewees constantly umming and aahing and constantly stumbling and stuttering over their words just makes people stop listening and switch over to a channel where people can speak clearly and concisely. But then, anything "The Times" related is now a waste of time and effort anyway. Time to find a channel that actually interviews those who are able to speak like fully developed adults.
Dresden is a 2-hour driving from Berlin. Putin being stationed in Dresden (and not Berlin) has no significance.
Hahahaha, Putin fan trying to defend the idol 😂
Buddy, nobody stations the top agent 2 hours away from the action. Its a bit like a boxer saying he beat Mike Tyson. Then turning out he was only in the stadium... in the last row 😂
And then there is you defending said person by saying "he may have been in the last row, but that has no significance! His cheering brought Tyson down".
Suuuure thing, buddy guy 😘
West Germany (Helmstedt) is a 2-hour drive from Berlin, and I've done it many times while stationed on a border intercept sight in support of Berlin intelligence gathering. If Putin wasn't working with either the allied Foreign Liaison Mission or the Stasi in East Berlin, he was a nobody.
@@JScottHamilton Thanks for the clarification and thank you for your service.
He's not too much of a failure. He's ruled Russia for 24 years. That either says a lot about him, or alternatively, a lot about the Russian population.
The power of a police state.
Stalin ruled continuously for far longer. Do you consider him a great leader?
The measure of success as a leader is NOT longevity, it is what is achieved. And putin has presided over the complete corruption of and subsequent fall of the russian economy. Not something l would put in a resume for a job as a crossing guard, let alone leadership...
Probably both.
Trump would also withdraw the US from NATO
Voie of brilliant interviewee is way too low for clear understanding Sigh.
Im trying to figure out how does this segment help Ukraine.....
It's news.
Nothing more than that.
Turns out ne not quite the “Putin, Vlad Putin” I thought he was.
And you're not quite the 'PrivateEye' you thought you were
Putin has never talked about his career in the KGB. He is now showing CIA expects stars despite his earlier failures, as the gentleman claims. After all that, Putin has become the best leader in the world loved by the international community.
So what power did Putin have over Yeltsin to be offered the top job, from apparently nothing, How did it happen? Something to do with allegedly being in charge of certain contracts in St Petersburg council? An enigma indeed.
Not only the contracts, those were well below Yeltsin's level. Putin managed to neutralise Russian Prosecutor General who was about to release damning compromising material on Yeltsin's high level corruption. this guy doesn't know much at all.
'Hard Right Wing; and 'Hard Free Speech' should not be used interchangeably, Calder It's more of a Venn diagram. The hard left also relies on free speech to pump out their information. Learned a lot from your discussion, for sure. There's a lot more to this than just body counts, grain & F16s.
What do you mean by 'hard left'? Why do you use 'pump out' rather than the more neutral 'diffuse' or other similar words when talking about the 'left'?
After an interesting start, he loses a lot of credibility with his qualification of the Trump/Zelensky phone call. I guess being an "expert" doesn't make one immune from stupidity and the urge to promote a narrative. And as I type this she says "critical thinking is difficult" hahahaha and then he goes on to say social media needs to be "regulated" and staggers to the end mumbling about "trusted sources" which I presume he would suggest includes himself. NO THANK YOU.
Nato rules, Putin drools 😅
“NATO has open door policy, Putin has windows.”
NATO rules nothing
Putler’s Bounty 💰
💀dead or alive 🤮
$1,000,000USD
Bye bye Vladdy😂
Understanding other languages does not make or not make u a spy master. That would be down to strategic thinking. Let's face it he took over Russia not a small thing...
Calder Walton still wanders what is the nature of the control Putin has over Trump. Having just watched the first 2024 Republican primary debate, I am wondering about the relationship and control or influence Putin has over Vivek Ramaswamy? 🤔
True? $$$$$$$??? and Prighozin's 'accident' a reminder of falling from windows?
The NRA funneled Russian money into the GOP, so they all are suspect to do Russian bidding.
He doesn't have any control over Ramaswamy, and you are wondering about something with no substance
@@robertatkins9419
How do you know?
Do you have any facts or are you just guessing?
@@LiberalinOregon I'm not guessing anything. He trained in law at St Petersburg University and worked for the KGB as a lawyer. If you claim otherwise, do you have any facts or are you just guessing?
Just the same as Drumpf was never on the list as president of the USA, and we are all living with those consequences
Seems to have done very very well for himself considering he's a dumbo 🤔
Great interview, thanks! I would suggest that Musk isn't "hard Right" or "Free speech", he's (to me) more "Free power" - a fascist in it's pure form. He who has the power/money/control should run the world, and that's what he works towards.
On regulation of social media - that promises a lot of headaches, and its own chance of manipulation by bad actors. I'd like to see a better foundation for learning and reason created in early schooling. So much of what's passed along as "fact" online could be dismissed by a person who had a skeptic's/rationalist's nature, which a better education could provide.
Yes. So right.. both Trump and Musk meet all the criteria for fascist.
Nobody said Lucifer 👿 was smart 🤓.
Wrong
Comparing putin to lucifer is giving him too much credit. Like the russian army, he's nothing but a clown and a joke
The fact that Trump admires Putin tells me all I need to know about Trump.
Putin both admires Trump and afraid of him.
This is why he didn't attack Ukraine when Trump was in office.
Only after Biden disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan he did it.
Really ? Then you only have "Life" in general, to figure out , now.And perhaps , the game of poker...
And the inanity and bigotry of your comment tells one all they need to know about you
Bull
Another ukiaine mouth piece
More xenophobia from times radio
Reeee Reeeee Cope😂
Snigger! The supporter of a fascist, imperialist gangster calls Times Radio names.
Ditto the comment above
I like Putin, a lot ❤❤
He screamed "Kyiv in 3 days" and made a fool of himself and russia😂😂😂😂
You can have him!
Nobody's asking, vatnik.
No wonder. He's the most popular leader on this planet
@@neutralevil1917It’s easy to be a popular dictator when you have everyone else killed.