O’Hurley and Shadrina have performed a significant service by producing a fine work of research which despite the dense topics proves an enjoyable read. Their thesis that the weaponization of faith in service to the Russian State poses a threat to European security and social cohesion is supported by evidence detailed in numerous original source citations.

Defense, security and policy analysts should take notice of ‘Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing’ because it provides context for understanding how hybrid warfare, at times being carried out by clergy on behalf of the Russian Federation security apparatus, seeks to undermine neighboring states. The surprising number of Russian Orthodox Church clergy being expelled from states across Europe based on evidence of espionage and carrying out activities that undermine domestic security and democracy demonstrates the necessity of this work.

My experiences as an intelligence operator for several years, specifically in relation to Russian adversaries, tell me about the well-executed professional work that we find described in this book.  I highly recommend this book for politicians, policy makers, defense and security specialists, journalists and all people concerned about the future of the European experiment in democracy.

O’Hurley and Shadrina have given us a wake-up call. We should take it.

Knut Normann Egeland, Ph.D.
Operations Research and Force Protection (retired)