Russia has long considered the so-called 'Near Abroad' of post-Soviet states to be its sphere of influence. But does it really have the will to assert hegemony? I'd suggest that it does not, in a whistle-stop tour from Belarus to Central Asia.In the second part, I look at some books that are new, or new to me, and think are worth highlighting:Tom Burgis, Kleptopia (William Collins, 2020)Gordon Corera, Spies Among Us (William Collins, 2020)Martyn Whittock, The Secret History of Soviet Russia's Police State (Robinson, 2020)James Pearce, The Use of History in Putin's Russia (Vernon Press, 2021*)Donald Ostrowski & Marshall Poe (eds), Portraits of Old Russia (ME Sharpe, 2011)* No, not a typo. Don't ask me, but trust me, I have no time machine)You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here.