Paramilitary organizations and private military companies have played significant roles in the execution of some countries’ foreign policy; Russia’s Wagner Group serves as one of the more notorious examples. Not officially recognized in the eyes of their country’s law, this paramilitary force carries out operations unhampered by the direct oversight of government. How has Russian foreign policy contributed to the rise of organizations such as the Wagner Group? What advantages do countries such as Russia see in using them? What purpose do they serve that cannot be accomplished by a national army? What challenges do they raise in the areas that they operate? Is the use of them increasing, or likely to?

Joining the conversation are two experts in the field: Kimberly Marten, faculty member of Columbia’s Harriman Institute for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies, and Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, and Jack Margolin, Program Director at Center for Advanced Defense Studies.

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"Sunrise Expedition" by Joseph McDade