The Information Battle Introduction: A battle for hearts and minds
Events can move a debate quickly. When initially developing the idea for this essay collection in the summer of 2014[1], it was clear that the role of media and social…
Articles, Briefings and Essays
The views expressed in the articles are those of each respective author and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the Foreign Policy Centre.
How many people watch Russian media in the former Soviet Union countries?
Television remains the most efficient method of influencing public opinion in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries. So what is the real impact of Russian TV channels in these countries?…
How (not to) cover lies: Lessons of Russian disinformation
On March 12 2014, long before anyone could imagine Donald Trump becoming President of the United States and concepts of ‘fake news’ and ‘alternative facts’ turning into global buzzwords, a…
In search of credibility: RT and the BBC in a ‘post-truth’ world
Introduction: Cracks in the Western (neo) liberal consensus Among many other things, 2016 will surely be remembered as the year that the terms ‘post truth’ and ‘fake news’ took root…
Failures and adaptations: Kremlin propaganda in Finland and Sweden
Sputnik goes phutnik In April 2015, the Sputnik propaganda news agency launched local-language services in all four Nordic nations. Sputnik is a growing arm of Kremlin influence, with content published…
Dictators of discourse: Eurasian autocracies and the international battle of ideas
Authoritarian states have always sought to control information and manipulate the message. Historically, they relied on the blunt instruments of censorship and propaganda. Modern authoritarians still imprison journalists and close…
The non-governmental sector: Pro-Russia tools masquerading as independent voices
Introduction There has already been much discussion in the Russia-watching world about the tools Russia uses to spread its influence, and it is quite an arsenal.[1] They include a worldwide…
Georgia’s international promotion during the United National Movement and Georgian Dream eras
Georgian government efforts to improve and promote the country’s international image have both political and economic dimensions. As Euro-Atlantic integration has become a major theme of the Georgian political agenda,…
How governments in the former Soviet Union promote their agendas and attack their opponents abroad
While the Soviet Union might have collapsed over two decades ago, in many of the post-Soviet states, the system by which majority of these countries are ruled is often reminiscent…
Armenia’s diaspora: Helpful advantage or harmful adversary?
For the Republic of Armenia, the relationship with its global Armenian diaspora has always been complex, and at times, even confrontational. Marked by misunderstanding and a deep cultural divide, this…