The Kremlin's Trojan Horses

[JayH]

Over a period of time the forum has discussed many issues relating to the FSU -- and in particular the current day attitude and behaviour of post Soviet Russia. In a contemporary sense we often see the Kremlin propaganda and diversions repeated-- which in isolation may appear credible ( at least to Russians)-so looking how it all fits together is crucial to understanding.

Western governments have ignored the threat from Putin's covert allies for too long, but finally, awareness is growing that the transatlantic community must do more to defend its values and institutions. To that end, Western governments should encourage and fund investigative civil society groups and media that will work to shed light on the Kremlin's dark networks.

The Kremlin's strategy of influence includes a broad array of tools: disinformation campaigns, the export of corruption and kleptocratic networks, economic pressures in the energy sector, and the cultivation of a network of political allies in European democracies. The ultimate aim of this strategy is to sow discord among the EU member states, destabilise European policies, and undermine Western liberal values—democracy, freedom of expression, and transparency—which the regime interprets as a threat to its own grasp on power.

The full range of the Kremlin's active measures capabilities was on display during the early stages of Russia's intervention in Ukraine following the 2013 Maidan revolution that toppled Putin's close ally, Ukraine's former president, Viktor Yanukovych. In Ukraine, Russia's state-sponsored propaganda quickly moved to brand the peaceful demonstrations in Kyiv as a fascist coup intent on repressing Russian speakers in Ukraine. Its agents of influence in civil society attempted to incite separatist rebellions in Russian-speaking regions, which ultimately failed.

And Russia's infiltration of Ukraine's security services weakened the new government's ability to respond, as Russia took over Crimea and sent troops and weapons into eastern Ukraine in the spring of 2014. The strategy is not limited to what Russia considers its "near abroad" in the post-Soviet space. Through its state-sponsored global media network, which broadcasts in Russian and a growing number of European languages, the Kremlin has sought to spread disinformation by conflating fact and fiction, presenting lies as facts, and exploiting Western journalistic values of presenting a plurality of views.

The aim here, as elsewhere, is to sway, through coercion and corruption, the region's policies away from European integration and toward Russia. The Kremlin does so by strategically exploiting vulnerabilities in Central and Eastern Europe's democracies, such as weak governance, underdeveloped civil society space, and underfunded independent media, while cultivating relationships with rising autocratic leaders and nationalist-populist parties; a web of influence that one report describes as an "unvirtuous cycle" that "can either begin with Russian political or economic penetration and from there expand and evolve, in some instances leading to ‘state capture', the report explains.


Master of puppets: how Russia undermines Europe with its allies

Follow the link to the 40 page report.

The Kremlin's Trojan Horses


“Since Putin’s return to power in 2012, the Kremlin has accelerated its efforts to resurrect the arsenal of ‘active measures’…” writes Dr. Alina Polyakova in The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses: Russian Influence in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, a new report from the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu’s Eurasia Center. Western European democracies are not immune to the Kremlin’s tactics of influence, which seeks to turn Western liberal virtues–free media, plurality of opinion, and openness–into vulnerabilities to be exploited.

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/reports/kremlin-trojan-horses

[JayH]

And more of the consequences and direction of the Russian intent.
All is possible -- the direction Trump takes as President and his handling of the Russian problem will dictate future history,



How to start World War III
The Baltic states, they will be one of the first and biggest test for President-elect Donald Trump. But most likely it will not be obvious invasion. In Russian President Vladimir Putin has a clear purpose and military-political strategy. But not all realists understand it.

Some argue that it is guided by rational, defensive purposes: NATO expansion seems to him a threat, and Russia reacts accordingly. West has expanded its sphere of influence at the expense of Russia, and Russia is now taking revenge. That is why, in the words of John Mearsheimer, "Ukraine crisis - this is West of wine."

This is absurd, like most academic analyzes. Putin is not guided by the cold calculations and rational self-interest, because it does not make any one person. We are driven by our perception of self-interest, which is shaped and defined our deeper assumptions and beliefs - that is, our ideology or religion. Putin believes that the Russian hegemony in the former Soviet republics is necessary for the security of Russia, because of their perceptions of Russian statehood and historic destination. Putin (and maybe even his inner circle) - not just a nationalist.

It seems that the Kremlin is driven by a unique form of Russian nationalism, which is intertwined with religion, destiny and messianism. In this interpretation, Russia is the guardian of orthodoxy and a mission to protect and spread the faith.

Indeed, Russia does not have a rational threat has seen in the expansion of NATO and the European Union, because the liberal order - an open and comprehensive, and it actually would strengthen security and contributed to the prosperity of Russia.

But Putin and other Russians who see the world through the prism of Russian religious nationalism, the West is essentially a threat due to its degeneration and globalism.

Источник: http://www.amn.com.ua/blogy/kak-nachnetsya-tretya-myrovaya-vojna/

[JayH]

Currently -the Kremlin propaganda factory is busy promoting various ideas floated by the Kremlin  on improving the Russian -USA relationship.
Stories are appearing urging pragmatism by trump to accept the status quo eg Crimea is now Russian -so let us both accept that and get on with each other. Basically-- a little of you stay out of my patch and I will stop causing you trouble.
As usual-- prior to any negotiation/discussion Russia will grab/advance as far as possible to put pressure on all concerned.
Eventually-the mainstream media will pick up on these Kremlin created stories and report as factual!

Let us all hope that Trump takes advice from his own party and  chain of available advice-- as distinct from any urge to show what a master negotiator he is !

If I was giving Trump advice-- increase pressure on Russia in everyway-- show Putin who really is the boss( & doing the hiring and firing) !
Create a position of overwhelming strength and show Russia that their crap is over eg Russian aircraft buzzing US ships anywhere will be shot down. Full Stop.Call Putin's bluffing-- and treat the bully as he treats others-- ie bully him and Russia  into seeing common sense.


Where to Look for Covert Russian Influence in the West

Stories of shady Russian influence abounded during the U.S. election campaign, but the evidence in them was often sketchy and the eventual benefits to Russia questionable. The European Union, for its part, is dealing with a scandal in which both the Russian connection and the gain for the Kremlin are far less nebulous.


http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-11-18/where-to-look-for-covert-russian-influence-in-the-west

[JayH]

How America learned to stop worrying and love Russia

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/alexei-bayer-america-learned-stop-worrying-love-russia.html?utm_content=buffer387b9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[msmob]

JayH

your posts are nigh on plagiarism in nature

Viz your The Kremlin's Trojan Horses:

The first paragraph is your writing the second onwards from "Democratic Underground" or wherever you have lifted it.

Could you please make it clearer where your thoughts stop and the quoted text start ?

This is not the first time possible copyright issues for the forum have been pointed out to you 



 

[Mod7]

JayH, despite MANY previous warnings you are back posting entire, long press articles, thereby flaunting the TOS - as ML pointed out, this involves copyright issues.

Stop this questionable habit of yours, or you will be muted.