Book SummaryMidnight in Moscow, by John J. Sullivan

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Midnight in Moscow

The writer narrates his experiences, emphasizing the challenges he encountered in his role as the American representative in Russia, during a period marked by the deteriorating diplomatic ties between the two nations.

In his book, John Sullivan offers an intimate account of his tenure as the American ambassador in Russia, a period characterized by escalating tensions and the emergence of strife. He narrates his endeavors to protect American principles and stakes while grappling with the complex strategies employed by the Trump administration and opposing Russia's antagonism and disinformation campaigns. Ultimately, Sullivan underscores the personal repercussions of these events, concluding with reflections on historical happenings and recommendations for formulating future American policies in response to Russia.

Delving into the intricate and often contentious world of Russian diplomatic interactions.

Sullivan, throughout his tenure in Moscow, faced an increasingly antagonistic Russian government that sought to obstruct and undermine US diplomatic efforts at every turn. His observations illuminate the persistent challenges marking the interactions between these two countries, characterized by deep-seated mistrust, discomfort, and markedly divergent objectives.

The personnel of the American embassy and their relatives constantly experienced persistent monitoring and intimidation from the FSB.

The writer quickly came to understand that his time in Moscow meant he was under constant surveillance by the FSB, the agency that succeeded the KGB. Sullivan highlights the tension that comes with the knowledge that their every move was under surveillance, not just inside the compound but also outside its perimeters. Diplomats were subjected to stringent monitoring, which even extended to the stopping and searching of their children's school bus under the guise of traffic violations.

Sullivan reveals that the constant surveillance and harassment aimed not just to observe but to deliberately disrupt the everyday lives of American embassy staff and their family members. He recounts situations where individuals are blatantly coerced into aiding the FSB, which involves the deliberate contamination of animals and illegal incursions into homes, along with the targeted intimidation of Marine Security Guards during their off-hours. Sullivan emphasizes that even trivial events, like setting up a new iPad before buying it, highlighted the pervasive nature of monitoring mechanisms throughout Russia. These tactics, while individually appearing minor, cumulatively undermined morale and cultivated an atmosphere heavy with distrust and trepidation.

Context

• The presence of Marine Security Guards at embassies is intended to protect U.S. diplomatic missions, but they can also become targets of foreign intelligence operations.
• The FSB, or Federal Security Service, is the principal security agency of Russia and is considered the successor to the Soviet-era KGB, responsible for internal security, counterintelligence, and surveillance.
• Constant surveillance can lead to stress and anxiety among diplomats and their families, impacting their well-being and effectiveness in their roles.
• Using traffic violations as a pretext for searches is a common tactic in intelligence operations to justify stopping vehicles without raising immediate suspicion of espionage activities.
• The use of advanced surveillance technology by the FSB reflects broader trends in state surveillance, where digital tools are increasingly employed to monitor and control individuals.
• The environment of fear and distrust created by these actions can lead to a breakdown in community and workplace cohesion, as individuals become wary of each other and potential informants.
• The ability to monitor such trivial activities serves to instill a sense of paranoia and helplessness, as individuals realize that even mundane actions are not free from scrutiny.
• The experience of surveillance may be more jarring for Americans, who are accustomed to different privacy norms and legal protections, compared to those in Russia, where state surveillance is more normalized.

Continuing to interact with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a fair and impartial way.

Sullivan regularly encountered obstacles and non-cooperation by Russian authorities as he pursued fair treatment and mutual exchange during negotiations, which included challenges in obtaining visa approvals to problems related to the detention of American citizens. He frequently encountered scenarios where the Russians professed support for reciprocal interactions but concurrently exploited previous agreements and loopholes to maintain their advantage.

The struggle to secure embassy personnel's entry permits reflected the larger conflict. The Soviet Union strategically positioned more undercover intelligence operatives in their embassies than there were recognized American diplomats. The reluctance of the American diplomatic body to issue visas to those under suspicion of spying led to a corresponding denial of visas for important members of the US delegation. Sullivan describes how the thoroughfare facing the US embassy was formally named "Donetsk People's Republic Square," a title that must be used in all official US correspondence, and he compares this to the dispute that emerged when "Boris Nemtsov Plaza" was named in Washington, even though the address of the Russian embassy stayed the same. Russia's leadership frequently focused on securing small victories and symbolic successes rather than making significant diplomatic advances.

Context

• Naming public spaces or streets after politically significant figures or entities is a symbolic act often used to make political statements or exert soft power, reflecting deeper geopolitical tensions.
• The principle of reciprocity is central to diplomatic relations, where actions taken by...

Midnight in Moscow Summary The relationship between the United States and Russia has been markedly shaped by critical events like the worldwide COVID-19 health crisis and Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.

During his ambassadorship, Sullivan witnessed a succession of extraordinary global occurrences. The COVID-19 pandemic initially caused a disturbance and subsequently became the primary factor shaping almost every aspect of international diplomacy, while also significantly impacting all facets of Russian society. The entry of Russian military into Ukraine markedly changed the nature of US-Russian diplomatic relations.

Navigating the challenges posed by a fundamental dispute that originated with the

Sullivan grappled with the complexities involved in isolating a large diplomatic group inside a hostile country amidst a complex and evolving public health crisis. The health crisis posed an unprecedented challenge for the leadership, necessitating a balance between protecting the well-being of American citizens in the Russian capital and ensuring the continuity of critical operations at the embassy.

Implementing safety measures and social distancing while maintaining essential embassy functions

As the pandemic progressed, Sullivan worked closely with his colleague Bart Gorman and medical advisor Dr. Sabrina Haas, applying his expertise in crisis management to develop...

Midnight in Moscow Summary Russia's manipulation of global events for its own propagandistic aims has put a strain on its diplomatic ties with the United States.

As ambassador, Sullivan witnessed firsthand the Russian leadership's overt indifference to truthfulness while they adeptly manipulated situations both domestically and abroad to further their political, economic, and strategic goals. The Kremlin dispatched a group of adept envoys to execute complex strategies aimed at convincing observers within the country and around the globe of Russia's supremacy and resolve, frequently emphasizing the supposed deterioration and inconsistency of Western countries, particularly the United States.

Putin draws on historical narratives to bolster his ambitions of extending his empire's reach.

Throughout his time, Sullivan observed the Russian administration led by Putin altering historical narratives to bolster its national and imperial ambitions, justifying its tactics and policies, and deflecting criticism by placing blame on Western countries, particularly with regard to events from World War II. The authorities in Russia skillfully reshaped historical memories, using them as a powerful tool, especially considering the deep emotional importance of World War II and the commemoration of the Great Patriotic War in the country, characterized...