Editors’ Picks: Putin’s fear of strong generals is as old as Russia itself

Plus: What the Wagner mutiny means for China in Africa. JULY 19, 2023  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](  |  [SUBSCRIBE](     Sponsored by [Harvard Kennedy School]( [A depiction of Russian Tsar Peter the Great after beheading one of the Streltsy rebels in front of his nobles. ]( A depiction of Russian Tsar Peter the Great after beheading one of the Streltsy rebels in front of his nobles. Hulton Archive/Getty Images [1]( [Putin’s Fear of Strong Generals Is as Old as Russia Itself]( Prigozhin’s rise and fall is the latest example of what happens when a ruler in Moscow fears the power of military underlings. By Simon Sebag Montefiore   [2]( [What the Wagner Mutiny Means for China in Africa]( When it comes to increasing its security footprint abroad, Beijing is facing a conundrum in reconciling Maoist doctrine with contemporary reality. By Alessandro Arduino   [3]( [‘The Return of the Taliban’ Makes Sense of Afghanistan’s Misery]( The West needs to engage with the rulers of Kabul—and disillusion them. By Adam Weinstein   Expert analysis for the global reader. [Subscribe today](.   [4]( [Did Pedro Sánchez Make a Fatal Bet?]( Calling Spaniards to a midsummer snap election is a desperate move. It won’t work. By Mark Nayler   [5]( [NATO Can Help Create a Global Security Architecture]( Washington’s Asia-Pacific partners are a building block for a stronger order. By Duyeon Kim     SPONSORED [Ask What You Can Do]( Harvard Kennedy School is the place to transform your desire to do good in the world into real, life-changing action. [Our master’s programs]( will equip you with the skills you need to improve public policy, pursue powerful ideas, and advance your capacity to lead.   foreignpolicy.com/subscribe Geopolitics matters [Get a closer look at the big picture. Access FP's daily reporting and analysis of global politics, plus magazine packages that go deeper than the headlines.](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe) [SUBSCRIBE TODAY](foreignpolicy.com/subscribe)   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Editors' Picks newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Reach the [right online audience]( with us. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.