Misha Glenny

Misha Glenny is a British journalist and broadcaster recognized for his work as the BBC’s Central Europe Correspondent, covering significant events such as the 1989 revolutions and the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Multilingual and educated at the University of Bristol, Magdalen College School, Oxford, and Charles University, Glenny has consistently focused on Southeast Europe, global organized crime, and cybersecurity.

Glenny's contribution to broadcasting has been widely recognized, earning him a Sony Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting. In addition, he has been acknowledged as BT’s Information Security Journalist of The Year. Governments and law enforcement agencies in Europe and the Americas regularly consult him on issues involving the Balkans and Eastern Europe, transnational organized crime, and cybersecurity. His expertise has also led to contributions to major publications in Europe, North America, and Japan, including the New York Review of Books and the London Review of Books.

Glenny has published more than three books related to Central and Eastern Europe, including "McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime" and "DarkMarket: How Hackers Became the New Mafia," which were nominated for several awards. His book, "Nemesis: One Man and the Battle for Rio," provides an in-depth perspective into the life of the former head of a major Brazilian cocaine cartel, based on interviews Glenny conducted in prison. Currently, "Nemesis" is in the process of being adapted into a Hollywood feature film. Furthermore, he has written and produced the BBC Radio 4 series "How to Invent a Country" and served as an executive producer for the BBC One drama series "McMafia."

Aside from his broadcasting and writing endeavors, Glenny has utilized his knowledge in an academic setting as a visiting professor at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute. There, he taught a course on "crime in transition," earning him the title of the best lecturer at SIPA. Glenny has also held a professorship at the London School of Economics and is presently developing a master’s course for University College London.

In addition to his journalistic and academic pursuits, Glenny has been involved in philanthropic work, running an NGO that aids with the reconstruction of Serbia, Macedonia, and Kosovo. He has appeared on various platforms such as C-SPAN and TED and was featured in the documentary film Raw Opium: Pain, Pleasure, Profits. He also presented a podcast on the life of Vladimir Putin titled "Putin: Prisoner of Power" and a five-part series, "The Scramble for Rare Earths," on BBC Radio 4.