(Special) The wrong apocalypse — so you want your own army?

In Russia, after almost a decade in prison, businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin was released into a new world: Mikhail Gorbachev had given his last speech as leader of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party was outlawed. Soon, gangs were violently extorting new business owners and the murder rate soared in the country. But Prigozhin was comfortable with chaos. He started a hot dog stand and climbed his way up into the highest echelons of power — and then decided to diversify.

In episode three of the third season of “Things That Go Boom,” our partner podcast from PRX, host Laicie Heeley looks at a Russian businessman who takes on a new game — a war in the shadows — and how we prepare for what we can’t see.

ADDITIONAL READING:

“Putin’s Kleptocracy,” Karen Dawisha.

“The Future is History,” Masha Gessen.

“The New Rules of War,” Sean McFate.