The False Romance of Russia: Competing in the Gray Zone
Russia has been aiming to destabilize both its “near abroad” — the former Soviet states except for the Baltics — and wider Europe through the use of ambiguous “gray zone”… Read more »
Category: Eurasia
Cybersecurity for civil society vs the ‘democratization of misinformation’
China and Russia are increasingly collaborating and engage in mutual learning when it comes to disinformation strategies, says analyst Jane Li. But the sentiment among China’s internet users is that… Read more »
Georgia’s status as post-Soviet democratic leader challenged
Georgia’s status as a post-Soviet democratic leader is under challenge, according to analysts Denis Corboy, William Courtney, Kenneth Yalowitz. A flawed presidential election, use of force against protesters, and political manipulations… Read more »
As disinformation spreads, ‘microtargeting’ advertising tools may threaten democracy
As Facebook sought to recover from its disastrous 2016 election season, company officials debated ways to curb distortions and disinformation on the platform. One of the most potentially powerful… Read more »
Global protest wave rattles governments, but can it advance democracy?
Whether the unprecedented wave of protests leads to sustainable democratic transitions depends in large part on the strategic sophistication of illiberal regimes and democratic actors, including the latter’s ability to… Read more »
Fresh hope for Ukraine on Maidan, Holodomor anniversaries?
Do new faces in politics in Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Slovakia mean real change, New Eastern Europe asks. ‘Is this part of a wider trend that indicates deeper social transformation’,… Read more »
Post-1989 structures need ‘remodeling, even democracy,’ says Walesa
Did Central Europe’s democratic forces defeat one form of authoritarianism, but fail to anticipate other threats to freedom? The post-Cold War disruption in job markets, economic inequities, and disputes over… Read more »
Ideological ‘grievance state’: Five Faces of Russia’s Soft Power
Russia’s human rights situation is getting worse with each passing year, says Tatanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch. The regime routinely “messes up” because it has destroyed almost all feedback… Read more »
Despotic Data: Autocrats winning online fight of open vs. closed societies?
A critical differentiator between traditional media and social media is how ‘targetcasting‘ is available only to a specific audience. Such secret targeting tears at the fabric of democracy, says Tom Wheeler, a… Read more »
A Disinformation ABC: Actors, Behavior, Content
In addressing disinformation online, policy makers should focus on bad actors and deceptive behavior, and avoid basing decisions on content, because much of what is characterized as “fake news” or… Read more »