April 7, 2022 | The Hill
It’s also important to win the information war with Putin’s Russia
April 7, 2022 | The Hill
It’s also important to win the information war with Putin’s Russia
Excerpt
The Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, accuses the West of plotting “an information war on Russia.” If only he were right.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, Vladimir Putin is attempting to ban the free flow of information within Russia, clearly concerned about domestic opposition to his war. This sign of weakness is an opportunity for the West and for the United States, in particular.
During the run-up to the invasion, the Biden administration skillfully declassified intelligence to alert the world to Russia’s military designs on Ukraine and to preempt Russian information operations. That information war should never have ended. Washington needs to invest in countering the Kremlin’s fictitious narrative about Ukraine, both by drawing on Cold War-style lessons and by developing strategies and tools tailored for the 21st century environment.
Ivana Stradner serves as an adviser to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where her research focuses on Russia’s information operations and cybersecurity, particularly Russia’s use of advanced forms of hybrid warfare. Follow her on Twitter @ivanastradner. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.