There is, of course, nothing new about governments in conflict (or even competition) using propaganda to further their aims.
The story of modern disinformation as a weapon of war is inextricably entangled with the story of Russia and Ukraine. But the events of the last few weeks, and in particular the last few days, give reason for optimism that we have reached a turning point. Just as it is by no means certain that tiny Ukraine can stand up to the bully next door indefinitely, nor is it clear that Russian influence-and those who came to power as a result of it-will vanish completely from our politics.
It will long be remembered, one hopes even more so, for the images of courageous Ukrainians taking up arms in defiance of the country’s invaders or finding refuge in the arms of welcoming neighbors.īut will it also be notable as the date when another war waged by Russia’s Vladimir Putin finally came up against determined opposition after a decade during which it encountered little resistance and in some cases cheerful acquiescence from those it targeted? Because make no mistake, Europe and the US have been on the receiving end of their own barrage-an onslaught of disinformation that has come close to destroying the values we once thought united us. The 21 st of February 2022 will live in infamy because of the images of Russian troops and tanks rolling into neighboring Ukraine, of Russian missiles raining down on civilian targets in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mariupol. In a week that will be long remembered for the start of a war, I want to talk about the end of one-or at least, the beginning of the end.
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