Topics of the Week Russia takes advantage of the power vacuum in the Balkans to expand its economic and political influence. US Senate sheds light on GRU’s online operations and pseudo-think tanks. Kremlin’s Current Narrative: NATO might be brain-dead, but so are all the European leaders. Is there a way for the West to engage with Belarus? Good Old Soviet Joke Question for the Radio Yerevan: Is it true that…
Topics of the Week British Prime Minister accused of ignoring evidence of Russian interference. The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director warned Russia against interfering in the 2020 elections in a joint statement. Kremlin’s current narratives: Russian stooge blame game returns. Nuclear energy as a strategic tool of hybrid warfare: Case studies from Hungary, Finland and Belarus. Good Old Soviet Joke A new building of the Central Committee…
Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group has created an infographic covering top 6 Russian narratives on Europe based on “Image of European Countries on Russian TV” joint research by Estonian Center of Eastern Partnership and Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Russian propaganda has been trying to discredit Europe in numerous ways, nevertheless these six narratives have taken hold the most: “Life in Europe is difficult and insecure as the authorities are unable to secure order” “Decaying Europe…
WHO IS BEHIND THE TOP 5 RUSSIAN CHANNELS? Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group has come up with an infographic covering the subjects behind the top 5 Russian channels: Russia 1 channel, Channel 1, Channel 5, NTV Channel and REN TV channel. WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON? Each of them has either direct or indirect ties to the Russian government, the ruling party United Russia, Gazprom or to people with close relations…
Topics of the Week German government remains silent after the murderer of ethnic Chechen in Berlin has been linked to the GRU. The dangers posed by social networks developed in authoritarian countries remain underestimated. The US Department of Defense seeks software to help with protection against election interference. Good Old Soviet Joke Leonid Brezhnev died in the USSR. I turned on the TV, Brezhnev was there. I turned on the radio, Brezhnev was there.…
Topics of the Week The Kremlin twists history once again on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Germany and Finland show little interest. Donald Trump wants Russia back at the G-7, blames Barrack Obama for the annexation of Crimea. Robotrolling: Bots posted 55 % of all Russian language messages on Twitter, bot activity increased during NATO exercises. Good Old Soviet Joke An old man is on…
Topics of the Week The phishing attack on Russia-watchers was more successful than initially believed. European Values Think-Tank was among those targeted. US Senate is negligent to pass election defence bills that could help against malign foreign interference. Finite State’s investigation shows the cybersecurity risks and flaws of Huawei technologies. Good Old Soviet Joke One day, Gustáv Husák, the communist president of Czechoslovakia, suddenly comes out of his office, wanders around, collects stones,…
Topics of the Week Italian far-right Lega party attempted to secure Russian financing for the European Parliament election. Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis: Lithuania’s president systematically targeted by disinformation. Leading American experts warn against insufficient American response to the threat of Russian disinformation during their testimonies. New study: How the Russian intelligence services upkeep the trust of their citizens. Good Old Soviet Joke After a speech, Brezhnev confronts his speechwriter. “I asked for a 15-minute…
Topics of the Week Four individuals, including 3 former Russian intelligence officers, charged in the MH17 investigation. The U.S. is launching cyber attacks, displaying a shift in geopolitical warfare and deterrence. New Atlantic Council’s study summarizes the foreign interference into 2017 French presidential elections and draws lessons learned for other European countries, including publicizing and striking back against cyberattacks. Good Old Soviet Joke Two rabbits on a road during the Stalinist terror…
Topics of the Week The UK has launched a £10m programme that helps a network of Eastern European groups combat Russian and Russia-supported far-right disinformation. Pompeo and Lavrov fail to resolve U.S. Russia differences on Venezuela and Iran. Reading suggestion: The disinformation activities online in Bosna and Herzegovina produced by economically motivated opportunists and political/state actors. Good Old Soviet Joke In the time of Stalin’s mass purges, a knock at the door woke a family in the…
