Russian Organized Crime and Corruption: Putin's Challenge

by William Hedgcock Webster

A study of the state of organized crime in Russia put together under the auspices of a project overwhelmingly staffed by members of the American national security apparatus, including four former heads of the CIA; various State department, Defense department, DEA, and FBI personnel; and a couple of corporate representatives thrown in to boot. Unsurprisingly, a rather alarmist tone is set and Russian organized crime is labeled a national security threat that can only be countered by more "free market" development. However, to be more than fair, it is claimed that they support the "rule of law." Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

92 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2000

About the author

William Hedgcock Webster (born March 6, 1924) is an American attorney and jurist who most recently served as chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2005 until 2020. He was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit before becoming Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1978 to 1987 and Director of Central Intelligence (CIA) from 1987 to 1991. He is the only person to have held both positions.