On April 2, 2020, Dr. Anna Novikov took part in the first online virtual event organized by the Program on U.S.-Russia Relations at the Harriman Institute: a panel discussion about Russian information operations in East Europe, the ways in which these operations are conducted, the narratives involved in these operations and the actors behind them. The event was hold virtually and streamed on the Harriman Institute’s Facebook Page via Facebook Live.
The East European nations formerly controlled by the Soviet Union remain the targets of intense Russian information operations, aimed at undermining their relationships with the EU and painting a nostalgic, positive picture of their Soviet past. In many cases, Russian information operators also make common cause with native illiberal forces in these countries, such as anti-immigration activists.
Three specialists discussed the nature of Russian information efforts and the most effective ways to respond to them:
- Thomas Kent, Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University; former president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; former editor at The Associated Press
- Corina Rebegea, Fellow-in-Residence at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Washington, D.C.
- Jeffrey Simon Willard, Director of Global Engagement, FDR Foundation, Harvard University
These specialists discussed the Russian political narratives and compared them to the narratives of Russia’s neighbouring Eastern-Central European and Baltic countries. The discussion was followed by the online audience’s questions.
https://www.facebook.com/events/820303618489025/
https://www.facebook.com/TheHarrimanInstitute/videos/593326268194157/