Publications

* * * * * * Disinformation in the Lebanese information space after the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel – examples The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, and especially the ceasefire signed on November 27, 2024, is associated with many unknowns. On the one hand, the messages addressed to the Lebanese were full of hope and encouraged to return home, especially after reaching an agreement. On the other hand, almost at the same time, the media reported new attacks and violations of the ceasefire by both sides. EXAMPLES OF DISINFORMATION ACTIVITIES: 1. A photo appeared on social media showing an Israeli helicopter allegedly shot down in the Al-Khiyam area in southern Lebanon. According to the posts, the helicopter was supposed to be transporting several…

  Russian ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev told Iraqi Shiite Al-Ahad television that his country does not believe in the intentions of American President-elect Donald Trump to end the Ukrainian-Russian war. In an interview for the program “Before Tomorrow,” Kutrashev stated that Trump’s statements during the election campaign indicate that he wants changes, but “America is a country with a powerful lobby that imposes its will on the president.” He added that “internal pressures forced Trump to take hostile steps against Russia,” noting at the same time that “Trump wants to stop the Russian-Ukrainian war.” In his opinion, “American lobbyists, selling weapons and gas, are benefiting from the economic weakening of Europe.” He also said that “some American circles want to destroy Russian-European relations” and that “the…

Disinformation about NATO’s Intervention in Belarus and “Defending Ukraine from Poland” – Elements of Russia’s Coherent Propaganda Strategy In recent weeks, Russian informational propaganda has intensified efforts aimed at destabilizing relations between NATO, Poland, Ukraine, and neighboring countries. Two recent narratives—namely, the alleged NATO intervention plan in Belarus from the territories of Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine, and the narrative about Russia and Belarus “defending Ukraine” from Polish aggression—constitute part of a broader disinformation strategy. Such messages are widely disseminated both in Europe and the MENA region, where Russia has for years effectively manipulated public opinion, portraying itself as a counterbalance to the West. Narrative 1: NATO “Attacking Belarus” The narrative about an alleged planned NATO intervention in southwestern Belarus has been spread by Russian state…

The installation of the missile defense system in Redzikowo has been, and continues to be, a target of Russian propaganda attacks. The latest iterations rely on disinformation and issuing threats against Poland. Below, we outline selected narratives used in recent days by Russian propaganda. A significant role in these activities has been played by operatives of the influence apparatus—so-called “military experts,” whose statements were promoted through propaganda outreach channels. Current Lines of Persuasion: 🔴 The missile defense system is aimed at undermining Russia’s security.🔴 The base in Redzikowo threatens Poland’s security, leaves Russia no choice, and invites the risk of nuclear retaliation.🔴 True Poles are being forced into subjugation under American dominance. The base in Redzikowo symbolizes the loss of Poland’s sovereignty.🔴 The base is…

In early November 2024, posts appeared on Arabic-language propaganda accounts promoting Russian narratives. These posts suggested that Poland, followed by Bulgaria and Austria, had agreed to pay for Russian gas in rubles. According to these claims, the European Commission allegedly authorized EU member states to purchase gas in Russian currency amidst a so-called crisis. However, this information referred to past events, specifically April 2022, when Russia indeed halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria due to their refusal to pay in rubles. In reality, since then, Poland and Bulgaria have significantly reduced their dependence on Russian gas by investing in alternative energy sources. Why, then, has this narrative resurfaced? What objective does the Kremlin aim to achieve by portraying historical events as current facts? This…

The Russian Federation employs complex disinformation techniques to influence public opinion, particularly in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries. One example of such disinformation is the manipulation of images showing Jews traveling to Uman, Ukraine, where annual Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) celebrations are held. Images of the Hasidic pilgrimage have been used by pro-Russian propaganda centers to fabricate a narrative about an alleged “mass immigration of Jews through Poland to Ukraine” and the construction of a “new Ukraine” as a “Jewish state” under the protection of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kremlin Hypocrisy: “Nazi” Ukraine and “Jewish Colonization” Russia’s use of anti-Semitism as a propaganda tool has a long history, as detailed in the article “Anti-Semitism in Russia” (https://infoops.pl/antysemityzm-w-rosji/) and confirmed in this year’s U.S.…

Disinformation: Belarus and Russia Defend Ukraine from Aggressive Poland Recently, social media and news channels linked to Russia and China have been intensifying their propaganda campaign aimed at MENA countries, presenting Poland as the aggressor and Belarus and Russia as defenders of Ukraine. There is a clear narrative line in propaganda sources linked to Moscow and Beijing, which is intended to cause confusion and undermine the credibility of Poland and its allies.The media coverage attempts to present Belarus and Russia as forces defending the stability of the region from Poland’s “imperialist ambitions.” This narrative fits into the broader context of Russia and China’s strategic influence on audiences in Arab countries, who may be less familiar with the actual events in Eastern Europe. Creating an alternative…

Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, in an interview with Al-Sharqiyah television, promotespropaganda narratives that blame the West for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To justify thisaggression, Kutrashev distorts history, claiming that it was the West that instigated World War II,whereas the responsibility lay with both Hitler and Stalin, as confirmed by the Ribbentrop-MolotovPact. Kutrashev’s False Claims: → “The West planned World War II.”Reality: It was Hitler and Stalin who led to World War II by signing one of the most treacherousinternational agreements, the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, on August 23, 1939. → “The same countries [that caused World War II] have now planned a war against Russia.”Reality: Neo-imperialist and neo-colonial Russia invaded Ukraine because it does not respect thesovereignty of other countries and consistently seeks to expand…