War in Ukraine. Interference in democratic elections. The sponsorship of extremist politics to destabilise Europe. In recent years, Vladimir Putin has waged a relentless campaign to expand his influence beyond Russia’s borders and to undermine Western democracy. But how did he come to have such control over Russia – and what is it that he really wants?

On March 10, Catherine Belton, acclaimed journalist and author of the bestselling book Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West joins us live in London for this installment of our series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on years of investigative reporting, Belton will reveal how Putin’s rise was orchestrated by a network of former KGB officers and oligarchs who used economic power, fear and corruption to install him in the Kremlin. She will explore how this model of governance and ‘strongman leadership’ has been exported globally and what the consequences continue to be for us all. 

Join us at Smith Square Hall in Westminster with host Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator for the Financial Times, and ask your questions in the Q&A.