Chemical Attacks
1Digest
This podcast delves into the Salisbury poisoning, examining the use of Novichok nerve agent, the subsequent international fallout, and the role of citizen journalism group Bellingcat in uncovering the perpetrators. It details Russia's response, including disinformation campaigns and social media trolling, particularly focusing on the unusual behavior of the Russian embassy's Twitter account. The death of Dawn Sturgess, a British citizen, from exposure to Novichok, underscores the potential scale of the attack. The podcast explores the potential motives behind the attack, suggesting it was a message to defectors and a demonstration of Russia's power. It also discusses the delayed understanding of the attack's significance and the initial downplaying of the event. The podcast further analyzes the evolution of Russian digital diplomacy, highlighting the strategies of figures like Sergei Nalobin. Boris Johnson's actions, his relationship with Evgeny Lebedev, and his unauthorized trip to Italy are scrutinized, raising concerns about security breaches and potential conflicts of interest. Finally, the podcast covers the 2019 UK general election, the blocking of a report on Russian interference, and the resulting political fallout, including Carol's investigation and insights from Rachel Johnson.
Outlines
The Salisbury Poisoning: Russian Interference in British Politics
This episode introduces the Salisbury poisoning as a case study of Russian interference in British politics, covering the initial attack, the use of Novichok, and the international response.
Bellingcat's Investigation and the Russian Response
This section details Bellingcat's crucial role in identifying the perpetrators and examines the Russian government's response, including disinformation and social media manipulation.
Casualties, Motives, and Long-Term Impact
This section covers Dawn Sturgess' death, analyzes the potential motives behind the attack, and discusses the delayed understanding of its full significance.
Boris Johnson, Russia, and the 2019 Election
This section examines Boris Johnson's actions, his relationship with Evgeny Lebedev, his controversial trip to Italy, and the political fallout surrounding the blocked Russia report in the lead-up to the 2019 election.
Keywords
Novichok
A group of nerve agents developed by Russia, used in the Salisbury poisoning.
Bellingcat
Citizen investigative journalism group crucial in identifying Salisbury attack perpetrators.
Disinformation
False information spread deliberately to deceive; used by Russia in the Salisbury incident.
Digital Diplomacy
Use of digital platforms for diplomatic communication; Russia's use for propaganda.
Salisbury Poisoning
The nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, highlighting Russian interference.
Russian Interference
Actions by the Russian government to influence political processes in other countries.
Boris Johnson
UK Prime Minister whose actions and relationships are examined in relation to the Salisbury incident.
Kremlin
The seat of power in Russia, referring to the Russian government and its policies.
Q&A
What was the significance of Bellingcat's role in the Skripal poisoning investigation?
Bellingcat used open-source intelligence to identify the perpetrators, providing crucial evidence.
Why was Boris Johnson's trip to Italy so controversial?
His unauthorized trip raised concerns about security breaches and potential compromises due to his ties to Evgeny Lebedev.
How did the Russian government respond to the Salisbury poisoning?
Russia denied involvement but used disinformation and social media trolling to downplay the event.
What was the impact of the blocked Russia report on UK politics?
Blocking the report raised questions about transparency and accountability, highlighting potential foreign interference in elections.
Show Notes
Relations between Russia and the Conservative-led British government are being pushed to the brink. In Salisbury, former KGB officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are found unconscious on a park bench, poisoned by the radioactive nerve agent Novichok. The attack sends shockwaves through Britain and Europe, while the suspected perpetrators are flaunted in a prime time TV interview on Russia Today, convincing Sergei Cristo that his former homeland is now run like a mafia state.
NATO countries respond by expelling swathes of Russian diplomats and spies. So why does the UK’s foreign secretary shake off his security detail to party in Italy with his pal, the Russian oligarch Evgeny Lebedev, just one month after this critical incident?
Tensions are rising and a demand for answers about Russian interference in British politics growing. But it seems that powerful forces are determined to keep the truth buried.
Episodes drop weekly!
A Project Citizen production
To find out more about the story and issues it raises visit www.the-citizens.com
Presented by: Carole Cadwalladr and Peter Jukes
Written by: Carole Cadwalladr and Peter Jukes
Producer and Sound Design: Ruth Abrahams
Studio Producer: Sean Byrne Roberts
Location Producers: Sheridan Flynn and Manasa Narayanan
Original Music: Phil Channell
Mixed: Nigel Appleton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Table of contents
United States
