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Dismiss, Distort, Distract, and Dismay
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Dismiss, Distort, Distract, and Dismay

Continuity and Change in Russian Disinformation

Jon White
IES, 2016
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Overview
  • Background

Recommendation

The West has been slow to recognize the formidable threat Russian disinformation campaigns pose to its democracies. According to Jon White from the NATO Special Operations School, Russia’s efforts to distract and spread confusion are modern adaptations of Soviet-era information warfare. White’s policy brief explains how Russia repurposed Soviet propaganda strategies to serve its present needs and how the European Union and NATO might counter this disinformation blitz. getAbstract recommends it to anyone worried about Russia's meddling in foreign elections. 

Take-Aways

  • Russia’s modern disinformation campaigns have a lot in common with its Cold War-era Soviet propaganda efforts.
  • The Soviet government used “offensive disinformation” against foreign audiences and “defensive disinformation” to shape public opinion at home.  
  • Today, the Russian government controls most domestic media outlets, and uses internet trolls to undermine the credibility of Western media sources.

About the Author

Jon White is a retired US army officer who teaches at the NATO Special Operations School in Belgium.

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