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2. Ascension

The man from nowhere slides up the greasy pole.

This is the story of the most powerful man you’ve never heard of. He can spot an ex-spy with presidential potential and help turn him into a world leader. He creates opposition movements out of thin air. He’s got a nation’s news directors on speed dial. Billionaires seek his advice. He’s even got his own little war. He’s at the heart of the standoff between East and West. Some even credit him with pioneering the concept of post-truth politics. Yet few even know his name.

He is Vladislav Surkov. And in this episode, Gabriel Gatehouse charts his rise from small-town Russia to the heights of power in the Kremlin.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Tue 26 Mar 2019 13:45

Broadcast

  • Tue 26 Mar 2019 13:45

Meet the most powerful man you’ve never heard of

Meet the most powerful man you’ve never heard of

The mysterious man who helped create the post-truth world.

The Puppet Master wins Gold at the Prix Europa 2019

The Puppet Master wins Gold at the Prix Europa 2019

Listen now to the winner of the Radio and Current Affairs category at Prix Europa 2019.