Disinformation Targeting Democracy: Violent Effects of Russia's Active Measures Campaigns in France, Germany, and the United States
Abstract
Russia has used active measures economic, cyber, and disinformation efforts to target democratic populations and polarize political opinions. This polarization erodes democratic political processes from within, achieving Russia's goals to make Western democracy appear fragile when contrasted with the strength of Putin's autocracy. The effects of active measures are difficult to quantify, but analysis of recent events in France, Germany, and the United States suggest that the Kremlins efforts have made an impact: some members of extreme movements use violence in support of goals that echo Russian disinformation. It can be demonstrated that Russian active measures targeting far-right extremists, and violent acts committed by some of those extremists such as the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 can be correlated to the rise in far-right violence in France, Germany, and the United States, but causation cannot be demonstrated at this time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1185009
Entities
People
- Melissa M. Kopilow
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School