Greg Simons
Turiba University, Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty Member
- Propaganda Systems In Media, Communication Management, Russian media, Russian Orthodox Church, Communication, PR and Advertising, and 85 moreCensorship, Terrorism, International Terrorism, Propaganda, Public Diplomacy, Propaganda & Indoctrination Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Public and Political Communication, Crisis Communication, Post-Soviet Regimes, Russian Studies, International Communication, Crisis communication and management, Ideology, Information operations (IO), Psychological operations (PSYOP), Political Violence and Terrorism, International Security, European Union, Peacekeeping, Journalism, Rhetoric, Mass media, Russia, Crisis Management, Media Management, Putin, President Putin, War on Terrorism, Public Opinion and Legitimacy, International Relations, Diplomacy, Eastern European Studies, Georgia, Russian journalism, Global Mass Media, Contemporary Russian Society, Journalistic translation and censorship, Importance of Communication In Politics, Modern Censorship In Russia, Mass Mediated Terrorism, Russian Mass Media, Russia Ketchum Branding, Role of Communication In Politics, Kursk Crisis Communication, Communication In Politics and Business, Contemporary Russia, South Caucasus, Post-Soviet Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Media Studies, Social Media, Human Rights, New Media, International Studies, Political communication, Democratization, Russian History, Russian Politics, Social Networking, Networks, Russian Foreign Policy, Censorship (History), Legitimation, Informal Politics, Vladimir Putin, Qualitative Methods, Strategic Communication, Central Eurasian Studies, Soft Power and Public Diplomacy, Journalism And Mass communication, War on Terror, Media Framing, Agenda-setting Theory, Information Warfare, Political Communication and Public Opinion, Nation Branding, Armed Conflict, Risk communication, Geopolitics, International Relations Theory, and War Propagandaedit
- I am an Associate Professor based at Turiba University in Riga, Latvia. I give guest lectures and deliver special cou... moreI am an Associate Professor based at Turiba University in Riga, Latvia. I give guest lectures and deliver special courses on topics such as Russian mass media; terrorism; public diplomacy; the relationship between politics, information and armed conflict; and crisis management. At the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University I designed and taught an undergraduate course in English on Mass Media and Contemporary Armed Conflict. Currently I teach at the doctoral level at Turiba University on topics such as risk and crisis communication.edit
- Dr Alexandra Smith (2001-2004)edit
Simons, G. (2022), Western Political and Hybrid Warfare as a Mechanism of the New Cold War Containment of Russia in the 21st Century. In Kurilyev, K. P. (Ed.), Western Flank of the CIS and Baltic States After 30 Years of Independence,... more
Simons, G. (2022), Western Political and Hybrid Warfare as a Mechanism of the New Cold War Containment of Russia in the 21st Century. In Kurilyev, K. P. (Ed.), Western Flank of the CIS and Baltic States After 30 Years of Independence, Moscow: URSS, pp. 11-21.
Research Interests:
This book seeks to critically review and evaluate the changes and consistencies in how warfare is interpreted and represented by academics, mass media outlets and political actors in the 21st century. The authors suggest that it is... more
This book seeks to critically review and evaluate the changes and consistencies in how warfare is interpreted and represented by academics, mass media outlets and political actors in the 21st century. The authors suggest that it is essential to understand the evolution and transformation of contemporary warfare’s conceptualisation and practice in order to make sense of the current global geopolitical transformations that are in process, from a unipolar to multipolar global order. They therefore examine the various key actors in international relations from
conceptual, theoretical and empirical perspectives through thematic chapters that demonstrate the increasingly central role played by intangible factors in the representation and management of contemporary armed conflict. The book stresses the need to reflect and rethink the potentially highly problematic trajectory of the global community within the framework of 21st century warfare’s political and informational influence and effects.
1. Introduction: motivation, purpose and structure of the book; 2. Informational warfare: a theoretical approach; 3. Understanding political and intangible elements in modern wars; 4. The fourth generation of informational warfare; 5. The culture and language of contemporary
armed conflict; 6. Different shades of information and communication in armed conflict: white, grey and black; 7. The effects of technological evolution and social media on the individual, society and politics; 8. Western hybrid warfare: crisis and subversion in regime change; 9.
Geopolitics in the age of social media: the struggle for influence on Ukraine; 10. The Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts: civil wars or geopolitical Shatterbelts?; 11. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on man, society, politics and international relations: the role of social media and informational warfare; 12. Conclusions: summing up the knowledge and
answering the questions
conceptual, theoretical and empirical perspectives through thematic chapters that demonstrate the increasingly central role played by intangible factors in the representation and management of contemporary armed conflict. The book stresses the need to reflect and rethink the potentially highly problematic trajectory of the global community within the framework of 21st century warfare’s political and informational influence and effects.
1. Introduction: motivation, purpose and structure of the book; 2. Informational warfare: a theoretical approach; 3. Understanding political and intangible elements in modern wars; 4. The fourth generation of informational warfare; 5. The culture and language of contemporary
armed conflict; 6. Different shades of information and communication in armed conflict: white, grey and black; 7. The effects of technological evolution and social media on the individual, society and politics; 8. Western hybrid warfare: crisis and subversion in regime change; 9.
Geopolitics in the age of social media: the struggle for influence on Ukraine; 10. The Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts: civil wars or geopolitical Shatterbelts?; 11. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on man, society, politics and international relations: the role of social media and informational warfare; 12. Conclusions: summing up the knowledge and
answering the questions
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
R ussia's Muslims, numbering some 15 million, constitute far from a homogeneous sociopolitical group. So … What does it mean to be a Muslim in Russia today? How is the image of Islam constructed, and how do the country's Muslims-and... more
R ussia's Muslims, numbering some 15 million, constitute far from a homogeneous sociopolitical group. So … What does it mean to be a Muslim in Russia today? How is the image of Islam constructed, and how do the country's Muslims-and non-Muslims-perceive and react to it? These are the questions that gave rise to this book. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the authors explore in what ways, and with what impact, Islam in contemporary Russia has been shaped by the interactions of the Soviet legacy, local cultures and languages, and external forces. They also address the influence of Islam on Russia's current Middle East policy. Their work is a rich and distinctive contribution to enhancing our understanding of the complexity and fluidity of Muslim identity in post-Soviet Russian politics and society.
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Understanding the Contemporary Information Landscape: A Handbook, edited by Frederic Labarre and George Niculescu, Vienna: Austrian Ministry of Defence, pp. 41-53
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Advanced technologies in the contemporary society enable many social problems to be resolved. However, due to the imperfect nature of social relations in human society, these technologies are very often used against human security and... more
Advanced technologies in the contemporary society enable many social problems to be resolved. However, due to the imperfect nature of social relations in human society, these technologies are very often used against human security and public interest. One of the most obvious and dangerous expressions of such usage is the activity of terrorist organizations, which potentially threatens the very foundations of democracy and social security This book is a first attempt to analyze the current practice and future risks of high-tech psychological warfare waged by terrorists on a national and cross-border basis. An international team of authors from eleven countries assesses the quantitative and qualitative development of the psychological impact of terrorists on their target audiences, taking into account the wider context of global social, economic and political shifts and acute geopolitical contradictions. The book also presents new understandings on methods of countering the psychological impact of terrorists on modern society. These methods include a wide range of technical and social tools – from philosophical concepts and cultural theories to the use of artificial intelligence to prevent terrorism and ensure psychological security of society and its progressive democratic development. It should be clarified that the implementation of advanced technologies by terrorists in the broad sense of the word is based on the contradictory social role of these technologies today and in the foreseeable future.
Research Interests: European Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Strategy (Military Science), International Relations, Terrorism, and 11 moreInternational Terrorism, International Security, Political Violence and Terrorism, Culture, Internet Security, History Of Propaganda, Counter terrorism, The Internet, Artificial Intelligence and Law, Manipulation, and Psychological warfare
Propaganda is a mechanism of the information domain that attempts to shape and influence the cognitive domain concerning events and processes that are located in the physical domain. It is a very deliberate tool that is intended to... more
Propaganda is a mechanism of the information domain that attempts to shape and influence the cognitive domain concerning events and processes that are located in the physical domain. It is a very deliberate tool that is intended to mobilise public sentiment through creating an environment that is dominated by an emotional form of logic, often in a very binary ‘reality’ involving a series of radical opposites.
The use of rhetoric is an essential element in the application of propaganda within the setting of information warfare, which forms of the basis of the appeals and emotional conditioning. This application has been witnessed in the Syrian conflict from the very beginning, where the propaganda of aversion (Assad – “bad”) is contrasted against the propaganda of attraction (‘rebels’ – “good”). Ultimately this concerns the various audiences’ perceptions and opinions of the Syrian war and especially the intangible aspects of political legitimacy/illegitimacy. Seeming ‘small’ or ‘trivial’ details are in fact key to influencing and persuading an audience to think and act in a pre-determined manner.
This chapter will show the importance and relevance of the details that go into scripting the propagandistic narrative as a means of shaping the cognitive domain through distorted and manipulated material in the information domain, which in turn is used as a means to form public consent on a policy issue. Four newspapers have their content analysed in the first four days in the wake of an alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria. This content was consistent in nature and followed a propaganda role where media acted as an instrument of war.
The use of rhetoric is an essential element in the application of propaganda within the setting of information warfare, which forms of the basis of the appeals and emotional conditioning. This application has been witnessed in the Syrian conflict from the very beginning, where the propaganda of aversion (Assad – “bad”) is contrasted against the propaganda of attraction (‘rebels’ – “good”). Ultimately this concerns the various audiences’ perceptions and opinions of the Syrian war and especially the intangible aspects of political legitimacy/illegitimacy. Seeming ‘small’ or ‘trivial’ details are in fact key to influencing and persuading an audience to think and act in a pre-determined manner.
This chapter will show the importance and relevance of the details that go into scripting the propagandistic narrative as a means of shaping the cognitive domain through distorted and manipulated material in the information domain, which in turn is used as a means to form public consent on a policy issue. Four newspapers have their content analysed in the first four days in the wake of an alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria. This content was consistent in nature and followed a propaganda role where media acted as an instrument of war.
Research Interests:
The Routledge Handbook of Character Assassination and Reputation Management offers the first comprehensive examination of character assassination. Moving beyond studying corporate reputation management and how public figures enact and... more
The Routledge Handbook of Character Assassination and Reputation Management offers the first comprehensive examination of character assassination. Moving beyond studying corporate reputation management and how public figures enact and maintain their reputation, this lively volume offers a framework and cases to help understand, critically analyze, and effectively defend against such attacks. Written by an international and interdisciplinary team of experts, the book begins with a theoretical introduction and extensive description of the "five pillars" of character assassination: (1) the attacker, (2) the target, (3) the media, (4) the public, and (5) the context. The remaining chapters present engaging case studies suitable for class discussion. These include:
Research Interests: History, Sociology, Psychology, Communication, Social Sciences, and 14 morePropaganda, Political Campaigns, Crisis communication and management, Political Science, Public Relations, Fascism, Pierre Bourdieu, Public Relations & Social Media, Argumentation Theory, Political Marketing, Anthony Giddens, Reputation Management, Misinformation, and Douglas Walton
Simons, G., The Role of Propaganda in the Character Assassination of World Leaders in International Affairs in Samoilenko, S., Icks, M., Keohane, J. & Shiraev, E. (Editors), Routledge Handbook of Character Assassination and Reputation... more
Simons, G., The Role of Propaganda in the Character Assassination of World Leaders in International Affairs in Samoilenko, S., Icks, M., Keohane, J. & Shiraev, E. (Editors), Routledge Handbook of Character Assassination and Reputation Management, New York: Routledge, pp. 163-180
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Chapter 17. The Global Public Relations of Failed States States engage in global public relations for a multitude of reasons and motivations. In this chapter, global public relations is discussed in the context of a failed state’s... more
Chapter 17. The Global Public Relations of Failed States
States engage in global public relations for a multitude of reasons and motivations. In this chapter, global public relations is discussed in the context of a failed state’s communication with different foreign publics in order to meet a particular goal or objective. As such, it forms the intersection of public relations and public diplomacy. Global public relations may in general be a popular and somewhat common theme, where the emphasis often is on the powerful countries (such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China), but what is less common is the global public relations of other, lesser known or weaker, states (Freitag & Quesinberry Stokes, 2009).
Given this lack of literature about the global public relations of less powerful states, this chapter explores the global public relations of failed states. There are a number of central questions that need to be posed in order to better visualise how and why global public relations campaigns are organised. What are the goals and objectives of a failed state when they engage in global public relations? How do they operationalise the programme?
This chapter will initially engage in understanding global public relations. As this is about countries making use of global public relations, the connections to public diplomacy will also be explored. The topic will then shift to defining and explaining failed states, which will be the basis for understanding the possible motivations for them to use global public relations. Zimbabwe and North Korea will be used as two examples to illustrate how this communication looks in practice and why it takes place (in terms of strategic state goals). The results reveal a very diverse approaches and reasons for communicating.
States engage in global public relations for a multitude of reasons and motivations. In this chapter, global public relations is discussed in the context of a failed state’s communication with different foreign publics in order to meet a particular goal or objective. As such, it forms the intersection of public relations and public diplomacy. Global public relations may in general be a popular and somewhat common theme, where the emphasis often is on the powerful countries (such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China), but what is less common is the global public relations of other, lesser known or weaker, states (Freitag & Quesinberry Stokes, 2009).
Given this lack of literature about the global public relations of less powerful states, this chapter explores the global public relations of failed states. There are a number of central questions that need to be posed in order to better visualise how and why global public relations campaigns are organised. What are the goals and objectives of a failed state when they engage in global public relations? How do they operationalise the programme?
This chapter will initially engage in understanding global public relations. As this is about countries making use of global public relations, the connections to public diplomacy will also be explored. The topic will then shift to defining and explaining failed states, which will be the basis for understanding the possible motivations for them to use global public relations. Zimbabwe and North Korea will be used as two examples to illustrate how this communication looks in practice and why it takes place (in terms of strategic state goals). The results reveal a very diverse approaches and reasons for communicating.
Research Interests:
Simons, G., BBC News on Israel: Coverage and its Criticism in Strovsky, D., Davidovitch, N. & Lewin, E. (Eds.), Israel from the Outside and Inside: Israeli Politics and “Alien” Media, Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019, pp.... more
Simons, G., BBC News on Israel: Coverage and its Criticism in Strovsky, D., Davidovitch, N. & Lewin, E. (Eds.), Israel from the Outside and Inside: Israeli Politics and “Alien” Media, Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019, pp. 80-102.
Research Interests:
Greg Simons
Russia in the Middle East: (Re)Emergence of a New Geopolitical Shatter Belt?..........................................p. 28
Russia in the Middle East: (Re)Emergence of a New Geopolitical Shatter Belt?..........................................p. 28
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the decades between the end of the cold war and the crisis of 2014, the country suffered a large decline in agricultural and industrial production, plunging economic... more
Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the decades between the end of the cold war and the crisis of 2014, the country suffered a large decline in agricultural and industrial production, plunging economic indicators into a sharp decline and leading to large-scale poverty and hardship.
This collection by leading scholars from the region explores the various crises affecting Ukraine since independence. Valuable crisis management research is made available from both Russian and Ukrainian sources and the on-going crisis in Ukraine put in context and analysed.
This collection by leading scholars from the region explores the various crises affecting Ukraine since independence. Valuable crisis management research is made available from both Russian and Ukrainian sources and the on-going crisis in Ukraine put in context and analysed.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
As a chapter in a book edited by: Elizabeth Joy Bridgen and Dejan Verčič (2018), Experiencing Public Relations International voices, London: Routledge. A symbiotic relationship existing between the mass media and terrorism has been... more
As a chapter in a book edited by: Elizabeth Joy Bridgen and Dejan Verčič (2018), Experiencing Public Relations International voices, London: Routledge.
A symbiotic relationship existing between the mass media and terrorism has been noted by observers for some time (Wilkinson 1997). Mass media can consciously or unwittingly promote terrorism through its emphasis on projecting fear and an uncertain future to media consumers (Altheide 2007). Other similarities to other means and tools of communication have been noted too. Although it may seem strange to have public relations and terrorism in the same context, there is some logic in doing so. “Both promote ideas and events, symbolic and otherwise, designed to generate media coverage. Both share the need to create a drama to tell a story in an often hostile and unsympathetic world. […] Both, in sum, share the common objectives of commanding attention, delivering a message, and influencing opinion” (Rada 1985: 26). It has been said that publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.
One of the factors that motivate terrorists to engage in communication is to try and offset their weaker tangible military strength by affecting audience perception and opinion of their power (Bockstette 2009). Is it feasible to apply the lens of public relations to the communication strategy and practice of such terrorist organisations as Islamic State and al Qaeda in order to inform the logic of the messaging? Al Qaeda and ISIS have both been selected from a rather broad market of different terrorist organisations and brands as they both maintain a high profile brand and reputation, their expertise in communication is well recognised too. As such, they are the organisations where it is most likely to find evidence of public relations practice.
Public relations is best understood within a political or business environment, but it is increasingly being applied to armed conflict. The bridge for public relations to terrorism can be found in the political aspects of the nature aims and goals of terrorists. It has been noted that terrorism can be best understood through “its discursive elements of identity, identification, power and narrative advocacy statements on theme and variation” (Heath & Waymer 2014: 227). Bearing this in mind, acts of terrorism have been described as being “disasters created for public relations, realistically calculated and managed interventions, strategically guided by a new but increasingly influential fundamentalist realpolitik” (Richards 2004: 172).
This chapter shall begin by initially outlining some key definitions that are used, such as public relations and terrorism, both of which are widely interpreted and controversial terms. With the definitions clarified, the next step is to explore the communication value of acts of terrorism. The links between public relations and terrorism will be analysed by a literature review, and in particular the words and deeds of al Qaeda and the Islamic State will be examined with public relations as a lens.
A symbiotic relationship existing between the mass media and terrorism has been noted by observers for some time (Wilkinson 1997). Mass media can consciously or unwittingly promote terrorism through its emphasis on projecting fear and an uncertain future to media consumers (Altheide 2007). Other similarities to other means and tools of communication have been noted too. Although it may seem strange to have public relations and terrorism in the same context, there is some logic in doing so. “Both promote ideas and events, symbolic and otherwise, designed to generate media coverage. Both share the need to create a drama to tell a story in an often hostile and unsympathetic world. […] Both, in sum, share the common objectives of commanding attention, delivering a message, and influencing opinion” (Rada 1985: 26). It has been said that publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.
One of the factors that motivate terrorists to engage in communication is to try and offset their weaker tangible military strength by affecting audience perception and opinion of their power (Bockstette 2009). Is it feasible to apply the lens of public relations to the communication strategy and practice of such terrorist organisations as Islamic State and al Qaeda in order to inform the logic of the messaging? Al Qaeda and ISIS have both been selected from a rather broad market of different terrorist organisations and brands as they both maintain a high profile brand and reputation, their expertise in communication is well recognised too. As such, they are the organisations where it is most likely to find evidence of public relations practice.
Public relations is best understood within a political or business environment, but it is increasingly being applied to armed conflict. The bridge for public relations to terrorism can be found in the political aspects of the nature aims and goals of terrorists. It has been noted that terrorism can be best understood through “its discursive elements of identity, identification, power and narrative advocacy statements on theme and variation” (Heath & Waymer 2014: 227). Bearing this in mind, acts of terrorism have been described as being “disasters created for public relations, realistically calculated and managed interventions, strategically guided by a new but increasingly influential fundamentalist realpolitik” (Richards 2004: 172).
This chapter shall begin by initially outlining some key definitions that are used, such as public relations and terrorism, both of which are widely interpreted and controversial terms. With the definitions clarified, the next step is to explore the communication value of acts of terrorism. The links between public relations and terrorism will be analysed by a literature review, and in particular the words and deeds of al Qaeda and the Islamic State will be examined with public relations as a lens.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study discusses salient trends demonstrated by contemporary warfare of these first years of our 21st Century. Using cogent examples drawn variously from conflicts of the Arab Spring, Libya, Syria, the Islamic State and Russian... more
This study discusses salient trends demonstrated by contemporary warfare of these first years of our 21st Century. Using cogent examples drawn variously from conflicts of the Arab Spring, Libya, Syria, the Islamic State and Russian adventurism in South Ossetia, Crimea and
Eastern Ukraine, the authors demonstrate the application of Information Warfare, the practice of Hybrid Warfare, and offensive use of diplomacy, communications, economics and international law to obtain political and military advantages against the status quo states of the international
community.
Eastern Ukraine, the authors demonstrate the application of Information Warfare, the practice of Hybrid Warfare, and offensive use of diplomacy, communications, economics and international law to obtain political and military advantages against the status quo states of the international
community.
Research Interests: Russian Studies, International Relations, Journalism, Peace and Conflict Studies, Propaganda, and 14 morePublic Diplomacy, Political Science, Mass Communication, Information Warfare, Strategic Communication, Mass media, Ukraine, United States, Arab Spring (Arab Revolts), Conventional Warfare, Hybrid War, Non-conventional Warfare, Lawfare, and Global War on Terror (GWOT)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: International Relations, Media Studies, International Security, Crisis communication and management, Crisis Communication, and 6 moreCommunication Management, Global Business Management (MBA), Strategic communications, Global Financial Crisis, Global Politics, and International Business & Globalization
Приведен обзор и представлены результаты анализа практики применения западными государствами современных технологий управления международными конфликтами ("управляемого хаоса") в цветных революциях на Ближнем Востоке и в Северной Африке.... more
Приведен обзор и представлены результаты анализа практики применения западными государствами современных технологий управления международными конфликтами ("управляемого хаоса") в цветных революциях на Ближнем Востоке и в Северной Африке. Многочисленные признаки и следы применения указанных технологий позволяют утверждать, что недавние события "Арабской весны" в Тунисе, Египте, Ливии, Сирии, Бахрейне и других арабских государствах носили явно не спонтанный характер и были прямым результатом внешнего политического управления. Большое внимание уделено причинам обострения ситуации вокруг Ирана и практике применения США современных технологий управления конфликтами в Сирии, являющимися звеньями одной и той же операции США по переформатированию Ближнего Востока.
Для дипломатических работников и политических деятелей, участвующих в разрешении международных конфликтов, юристов-международников, научных работников, преподавателей, студентов и аспирантов, обучающихся по специальностям "Международные отношения", "Политология", "Конфликтология".
Для дипломатических работников и политических деятелей, участвующих в разрешении международных конфликтов, юристов-международников, научных работников, преподавателей, студентов и аспирантов, обучающихся по специальностям "Международные отношения", "Политология", "Конфликтология".
Research Interests: African Studies, American Studies, International Relations, Foreign Policy Analysis, Middle East Studies, and 24 moreInternational Security, Crisis communication and management, Iranian Studies, History of Iran, American Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy, Syrian Studies, Strategic Communication, Middle Eastern Politics, Armed Conflict, Syria, Iranian History, Middle East Politics, Iran (American Foreign Policy), Russian Policy in the Middle East and Caucasia, U.S. Foreign Policy, Iraq War, Arabian/Persian Gulf Studies, Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication, Foreign Policy of Islamic Republic of Iran, Armed Forces and Society, Strategic Communication and Contentious Politics - Media and Politics - Media and Foreign Policy Analysis - Social Media - Social and Political Movements - Media and Democracy - Political/ International Communication -, Arabic and Islamic Studies, and Strategic communication management
Research Interests: Business, International Relations, Communication, Media Studies, International Business, and 16 moreCrisis communication and management, Political Science, Public Relations, Crisis Management, Crisis Communication, Communication Management, Strategic Communication, Post Cold War Era, International Human Resource Management, International Management, International Business Management, Political Studies, Political Sciences, Global Politics, International Relations and Global Politics, and Business Management and Administration ( Local and International)
Suslov, M. & Bassin, M. (Eds.), Eurasia 2.0: Russian Geopolitics in the Age of New Media, Lanham (MD): Lexington Books, February 2016. This chapter takes a critical look at both sides use of social media in the struggle to win the battle... more
Suslov, M. & Bassin, M. (Eds.), Eurasia 2.0: Russian Geopolitics in the Age of New Media, Lanham (MD): Lexington Books, February 2016.
This chapter takes a critical look at both sides use of social media in the struggle to win the battle of narratives and perceptions on the events in Ukraine. This is hedged within the frame of geopolitics entering the space of social media. It explores the frames, the values and norms that are communicated by each side (Euromaidan and anti-Euromaidan). Both of these rather diverse sides are attempting mobilisation via social media and to influence the traditional mass media environment.
This chapter takes a critical look at both sides use of social media in the struggle to win the battle of narratives and perceptions on the events in Ukraine. This is hedged within the frame of geopolitics entering the space of social media. It explores the frames, the values and norms that are communicated by each side (Euromaidan and anti-Euromaidan). Both of these rather diverse sides are attempting mobilisation via social media and to influence the traditional mass media environment.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
"Crisis Management Challenges in Kaliningrad captures the evolving nature of the types of crises faced by a society as it transforms and evolves. Once the western most bastion of the Soviet Union and now the western most part of the... more
"Crisis Management Challenges in Kaliningrad captures the evolving nature of the types of crises faced by a society as it transforms and evolves. Once the western most bastion of the Soviet Union and now the western most part of the Russian Federation, the Kaliningrad Oblast remains cut off from direct land communication with mainland Russia and provides a condensed, real-life laboratory in which to observe changing political, technological and economic priorities in Post-Soviet society.
Expert contributors from the region chart the tensions, problems and opportunities created by the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 and examine the change in status and situation of the Kaliningrad Oblast. By looking at a selection of economic, environmental and social crises a historical link between the Soviet and Post-Soviet eras is formed and rigorously examined."
Expert contributors from the region chart the tensions, problems and opportunities created by the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991 and examine the change in status and situation of the Kaliningrad Oblast. By looking at a selection of economic, environmental and social crises a historical link between the Soviet and Post-Soviet eras is formed and rigorously examined."
Research Interests:
Приведен обзор и представлены результаты анализа практики применения западными государствами современных технологий управления международными конфликтами («управляемого хаоса») в цветных революциях на Ближнем Востоке и в Северной Африке.... more
Приведен обзор и представлены результаты анализа практики применения западными государствами современных технологий управления международными конфликтами («управляемого хаоса») в цветных революциях на Ближнем Востоке и в Северной Африке. Многочисленные признаки и следы применения указанных технологий позволяют утверждать, что недавние события «Арабской весны» в Тунисе, Египте, Ливии, Сирии, Бахрейне и других арабских государствах носили явно не спонтанный характер и были прямым результатом внешнего политического управления. Большое внимание уделено причинам обострения ситуации вокруг Ирана и практике применения США современных технологий управления конфликтами в Сирии, являющимися звеньями одной и той же операции США по переформатированию Ближнего Востока.
Для дипломатических работников и политических деятелей, участвующих в разрешении международных конфликтов, юристов-международников, научных работников, преподавателей, студентов и аспирантов, обучающихся по специальностям «Международные отношения», «Политология», «Конфликтология». Будет интересна широкому кругу читателей.
Базаркина Дарья Юрьевна (гл. 9)
Виноградова Екатерина Александровна (гл. 6, 7, 8)
Манойло Андрей Викторович (гл. 1, 2, 5)
Пашенцев Евгений Николаевич (гл. 3)
Саймонс Грег (гл. 4)
Для дипломатических работников и политических деятелей, участвующих в разрешении международных конфликтов, юристов-международников, научных работников, преподавателей, студентов и аспирантов, обучающихся по специальностям «Международные отношения», «Политология», «Конфликтология». Будет интересна широкому кругу читателей.
Базаркина Дарья Юрьевна (гл. 9)
Виноградова Екатерина Александровна (гл. 6, 7, 8)
Манойло Андрей Викторович (гл. 1, 2, 5)
Пашенцев Евгений Николаевич (гл. 3)
Саймонс Грег (гл. 4)
""This unique book explores the problems of the national crisis management system in Russia, a country undergoing political, social and economic transition and one which is also prone to natural and man-made disasters. In detailing... more
""This unique book explores the problems of the national crisis management system in Russia, a country undergoing political, social and economic transition and one which is also prone to natural and man-made disasters. In detailing policy, institutional and legal issues and illustrating a number of case studies, the authors offer new ways of resolving the effects of disasters as well as increasing resilience by improving our understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities.
In the book six chapters offer case studies of various types of disaster written in a unique collaboration between Russian scientists, Russian policy makers and Swedish scholars. Other chapters relate the role of mass media in Russian society and policy development. Taken together the book details changes in a crisis management system, policy and approach in a country that has undergone rapid fundamental political economic and social change.""
In the book six chapters offer case studies of various types of disaster written in a unique collaboration between Russian scientists, Russian policy makers and Swedish scholars. Other chapters relate the role of mass media in Russian society and policy development. Taken together the book details changes in a crisis management system, policy and approach in a country that has undergone rapid fundamental political economic and social change.""
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The authors of the book focus on such problems as the activity of transnational communicational groups, communication competency in business, the role of communication management (CM) in international affairs, military operations and... more
The authors of the book focus on such problems as the activity of transnational communicational groups, communication competency in business, the role of communication management (CM) in international affairs, military operations and “orange revolutions”, CM and terrorism, the problems of communication and information security, media wars, crisis communications including the role of CM in the world economic crisis, the communicational support of cultural activities, PR and CM MBA education and much more.
The materials published are characterized by original judgments and conclusions, thorough analysis of the international communication services market. The results of the work of researchers from Russia, Bulgaria, the USA, Serbia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey can be helpful in modern business and public administration practice. The foreword is written by Marco Ricceri, the general director of EURISPES (Italy).
The book belongs to the series "Communication Management in World Politics and Business": a series of the International Centre of Socio-Political Studies and Consulting, Communication Management Centre at the Russian-German Graduate School of Management.
The materials published are characterized by original judgments and conclusions, thorough analysis of the international communication services market. The results of the work of researchers from Russia, Bulgaria, the USA, Serbia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey can be helpful in modern business and public administration practice. The foreword is written by Marco Ricceri, the general director of EURISPES (Italy).
The book belongs to the series "Communication Management in World Politics and Business": a series of the International Centre of Socio-Political Studies and Consulting, Communication Management Centre at the Russian-German Graduate School of Management.
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"Mass media are essential to democratic society; in contrast, the War on Terror has been interpreted as an assault on democracy and freedom by Islamic fundamentalists. The building and maintenance of public support is essential in modern... more
"Mass media are essential to democratic society; in contrast, the War on Terror has been interpreted as an assault on democracy and freedom by Islamic fundamentalists. The building and maintenance of public support is essential in modern warfare due to the increasing politicization of warfare, where losses and gains are measured in political rather than military terms. And if progress cannot be demonstrated during a war, then by default one is assumed to be losing.
Greg Simons tackles the complicated yet essential role of mass media in society. Taking the Global War on Terror as a prime example, the author adopts a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the various facets of war and the role of the media within it. Assessing in particular the Russian fight against terrorism, this book provides a broader perspective and understanding of contemporary struggles."
Greg Simons tackles the complicated yet essential role of mass media in society. Taking the Global War on Terror as a prime example, the author adopts a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the various facets of war and the role of the media within it. Assessing in particular the Russian fight against terrorism, this book provides a broader perspective and understanding of contemporary struggles."
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Security Sector Reform (SSR) is increasingly becoming a cornerstone in international security and development cooperation. Indeed, the concept has often been seen as a panacea for many of the biggest threats to the world such as failed... more
Security Sector Reform (SSR) is increasingly becoming a cornerstone in international security and development cooperation. Indeed, the concept has often been seen as a panacea for many of the biggest threats to the world such as failed states, terrorism and poverty. In particular, this book focuses on the complexities of implementation of SSR across the globe and the actual and potential role for the European Union (EU) to play in SSR. As suggested in the title of the book, this involves not only opportunities, but challenges to be overcome as well. There are three core themes to this book: Policy, Policies and Practice. By presenting the themes in this particular order a greater appreciation of the influences on the process of SSR, from conception to implementation is relayed to the reader. This volume appeals to audiences interested in the EU as a global actor and the interrelationships between foreign, security, defence and development policies.
Research Interests: International Security, European Union, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and 8 moreStabilization and Reconstruction, SSR Africa, SSR Ukraine, SSR Afghanistan, SSR Balkans, Policy and Political Aspects of SSR, Security Sector Reform (SSR), and Post Conflict Issues
This study examines the arguments and the role of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Russian society as they appear in the mass media. It provides an overview of some of the main arguments that are currently being... more
This study examines the arguments and the role of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Russian society as they appear in the mass media. It provides an overview of some of the main arguments that are currently being discussed. This is important within the current context and debate of the role that is played by Orthodoxy in contemporary Russian society. The importance of which is elevated during times of uncertainty with regards to the role and identity of Russia and Russians in the modern world.
In the geopolitics of 21st-century international relations, there is a noticeable shift and transformation of the global order away from the Western-centric United States unipolar order (Global North) towards a Non-Western multipolar... more
In the geopolitics of 21st-century international relations, there is a noticeable shift and transformation of the global order away from the Western-centric United States unipolar order (Global North) towards a Non-Western multipolar order (Global South). Key actors in the Global South have increasingly stood in opposition to the excesses of the Global North’s words and deeds. However, standing in opposition to something does not change the status quo, the hegemonic power remains, and
the challengers remain just that. Building durable institutions, that are based on the symmetry of relations and outcomes, is necessary. This is what BRICS represents, where it is evolving to enable better and support the creation of a new world geopolitical order
the challengers remain just that. Building durable institutions, that are based on the symmetry of relations and outcomes, is necessary. This is what BRICS represents, where it is evolving to enable better and support the creation of a new world geopolitical order
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Now is the one of the most critical points arriving in recent global history, where the ability to be a subject and not an object of events is not only desirable, but an act that can determine the difference between life and death of... more
Now is the one of the most critical points arriving in recent global history, where the ability to be a subject and not an object of events is not only desirable, but an act that can determine the difference between life and death of nations and civilisations. The global geopolitical order is undergoing a massive and all-encompassing transformation, at an increasing pace it is moving away from the Western-Centric United States-led Unipolar Order towards a Non-Western-Centric Multipolar Order. In its decline, the Unipolar Order is losing its ability to coerce and force the international community to do what it says, not that it has stopped trying to do so. New ways are being sought to try and regulate and manipulate geopolitics to their relative advantage, less costly and more indirect means of influencing the operational environment of international relations. This requires a careful choice of resources and strategy used to leverage apparent strengths over actual weaknesses.
https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/front-and-proxy-media/
https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/front-and-proxy-media/
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The significance and symbolism of the Great Patriotic War and Victory Day has grown in its political and social importance in terms of the communication of collective memory in the inter-generational transmission of norms and values by... more
The significance and symbolism of the Great Patriotic War and Victory Day has grown in its political and social importance in terms of the communication of collective memory in the inter-generational transmission of norms and values by mass media. Victory Day is the iconic moment that has come to symbolise and concentrate the desirable values and traits required of "good" citizens to meet the contemporary challenges of domestic politics and international relations. This article uses Framing Analysis of 21 articles from five local and regional newspapers' coverage of Victory Day in 2021 in the Sverdlovsk Oblast during the Coronavirus pandemic. The indicative findings of the study hint at the role of local and regional media in shaping the collective memory of readers to further align the contemporary individual narrative with the collective narrative of this communicated memory. There are a clear set of historical values and behaviour related to a sense of group belonging and collective purpose that are taken from the communicated memory of the Great Patriotic War through Victory Day celebrations and applied to the Coronavirus crisis.
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A great deal of chaos and upheaval has taken place, with much more to come, as the global order undergoes an all-encompassing and significant change in the balance of power and influence continues to shift. Many observers, especially in... more
A great deal of chaos and upheaval has taken place, with much more to come, as the global order undergoes an all-encompassing and significant change in the balance of power and influence continues to shift. Many observers, especially in the West, tend to be focused on the tangible elements available to powers in the international system (available manpower, number and type of weapon systems, financial resources, national infrastructure – those elements observed in the physical realm). However, the author suggests that the power and effects of intangible assets (related to resources in the information and cognitive realms) in terms of the potential in increasing the capability and capacity of an actor to protect and project their national interests. This can also be managed through collaborations of like-minded actors through reciprocal and collaborative action pursue and protect their interests in an age of global diametrically opposing values, norms and ideas.
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The bedrock of realism in international relations is founded on the notions of a state-centred approach to the study of rational logic of man in pursuing national self-interest. However, this is an increasingly difficult task of trying to... more
The bedrock of realism in international relations is founded on the notions of a state-centred approach to the study of rational logic of man in pursuing national self-interest. However, this is an increasingly difficult task of trying to derive meaningful assessments and interpretations of people, events and processes in the geopolitics of the 21st century as the role of emotions and seemingly illogical actions come increasingly to the fore of international relations. Realism still has valid explanatory power, but this needs to be revamped for the highly specific current geopolitical moment make sense of the Western unipolar order’s attempt to obstruct the rise of the Non-Western multipolar order through transactional zero-sum games (versus a relational win-win strategy of the Multipolar world) as an avenue to prevent viable global alternatives and preserve the US global hegemony at the cost of everyone else. Power and influence in contemporary international relations and in geopolitics in particular, when understood through the interpretive and analytical lens of realism requires a broadening of the sources and effects that are taken into account in assessments.
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The world order is currently evolving and there is an evident shift as the Western-centric United States unipolar order’s is relatively weakening and its hegemony is challenged by the rising Non-Western-centric multipolar order. This is... more
The world order is currently evolving and there is an evident shift as the Western-centric United States unipolar order’s is relatively weakening and its hegemony is challenged by the rising Non-Western-centric multipolar order. This is happening across different strategic geopolitical regions, including the Indo-Pacific region. The decline of a hegemony can be heralded by an increasing level of competition and conflict between different geopolitical actors in the international system, when the ‘old’ hegemonic order is not yet ‘dead’ and the ‘new’ hegemonic order
is not established. A situation arises where interpretations and representations of geostrategic imperatives take place as ‘informational geopolitics’ as the various international actors seek to be subjects and not objects of the unfolding process and events, such as India that inhabits a unique position, but not without its risks. This paper analyses academic literature on those geostrategic imperatives of the different actors and finds a rather transactional US approach to maintain its hegemony and a
more relational approach by actors in the emergent new world order.
is not established. A situation arises where interpretations and representations of geostrategic imperatives take place as ‘informational geopolitics’ as the various international actors seek to be subjects and not objects of the unfolding process and events, such as India that inhabits a unique position, but not without its risks. This paper analyses academic literature on those geostrategic imperatives of the different actors and finds a rather transactional US approach to maintain its hegemony and a
more relational approach by actors in the emergent new world order.
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There is a noticeable and growing evolution of the global geopolitical balance of power and influence in the 21st century’s system of international relations. The current hegemon, the unipolar United States, and the political system of... more
There is a noticeable and growing evolution of the global geopolitical balance of power and influence in the 21st century’s system of international relations. The current hegemon, the unipolar United States, and the political system of Western liberalism that supports it, is under great strain and is in a state of relative decline. The challenger is a non-Western-centric multipolar order, which consists of a wide variety of countries spanning the globe, including what is referred to as the Global
South. This ‘crisis’ of the Western order has prompted a tangible and informational response from the U.S. and its system, to defend their privileged hegemony and to deter the rise of alternative systems of power and influence in international relations.
South. This ‘crisis’ of the Western order has prompted a tangible and informational response from the U.S. and its system, to defend their privileged hegemony and to deter the rise of alternative systems of power and influence in international relations.
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Although information is nothing new to war or confl ict, the speed at which it reaches a much wider target audience, and thus its potential impact and consequences, is changing due to the rapid development of information and... more
Although information is nothing new to war or confl ict, the speed at which it reaches a much wider target audience, and thus its potential impact and consequences, is changing due to the rapid development of information and communications technology. Regime change and information warfare have been around for a very long time in the history of organised human societies. An undertaken review of academic literature demonstrates a great interest today to these concepts in academic, policymaking and practical terms. The present article attempts to track the evolution of the Western conceptual and theoretical thinking on the use of regime change and information warfare, seeking to understand the factors that precipitate it. In the paper I address the following, what is the relationship between information warfare and regime change? The high level of information and communications technology development and persisting leadership globally have allowed the United States to engage in regime ...
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A chapter in ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY by Andrei Tsygankov due to be published 2018
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Chapter 17. The Global Public Relations of Failed States States engage in global public relations for a multitude of reasons and motivations. In this chapter, global public relations is discussed in the context of a failed state’s... more
Chapter 17. The Global Public Relations of Failed States States engage in global public relations for a multitude of reasons and motivations. In this chapter, global public relations is discussed in the context of a failed state’s communication with different foreign publics in order to meet a particular goal or objective. As such, it forms the intersection of public relations and public diplomacy. Global public relations may in general be a popular and somewhat common theme, where the emphasis often is on the powerful countries (such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China), but what is less common is the global public relations of other, lesser known or weaker, states (Freitag & Quesinberry Stokes, 2009). Given this lack of literature about the global public relations of less powerful states, this chapter explores the global public relations of failed states. There are a number of central questions that need to be posed in order to better visualise how and why global public relations campaigns are organised. What are the goals and objectives of a failed state when they engage in global public relations? How do they operationalise the programme? This chapter will initially engage in understanding global public relations. As this is about countries making use of global public relations, the connections to public diplomacy will also be explored. The topic will then shift to defining and explaining failed states, which will be the basis for understanding the possible motivations for them to use global public relations. Zimbabwe and North Korea will be used as two examples to illustrate how this communication looks in practice and why it takes place (in terms of strategic state goals). The results reveal a very diverse approaches and reasons for communicating.
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Research Interests: Russian Studies, International Relations, Political Economy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Public Diplomacy, and 12 morePolitical Science, Public Relations, Ideology, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, European Union, Soft Power, Russia, Soft Power and International Relations, Language Culture and Communication, Publics, and Soft Power and Public Diplomacy
Editors’ introduction: This special issue of Religion, State & Society is on ‘The Image of Islam in Russia’. We have been pleased to work with our guest editor Dr Greg Simons of Uppsala Univers ...
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The Internet and social media have been often hailed as being the hope for democratic and open spaces of free communication. As such, these technical instruments have become an essential tool of communication and interaction in the... more
The Internet and social media have been often hailed as being the hope for democratic and open spaces of free communication. As such, these technical instruments have become an essential tool of communication and interaction in the twenty-first century. It has revolutionised the way people think and interact with each other, and therefore it is of great research value. An exploratory study is conducted on six groups and communities found on Facebook; half of the groups have a positive view of Russia, whilst the other half hold a negative view. The group dynamics and interactions of communication are studied through a qualitative lens in order to try to understand those important and key narratives of these somewhat insular groups that provide them with a sense of identity and purpose. A focus is made on understanding how these groups shape and create the reputation and brand of Russia within the said Facebook communities.
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n October 2015, Runet heatedly discussed the leak of information about the (failed) attempt of the Russian Ministry of Communications to cut the country off from the internet. The crackdown on the freedom of the internet is the marked... more
n October 2015, Runet heatedly discussed the leak of information about the (failed) attempt of the Russian Ministry of Communications to cut the country off from the internet. The crackdown on the freedom of the internet is the marked tendency of President Putin’s third term in power, which has resulted in the closing down of thousands of webpages, including oppositional news agencies. One of the most important sources of motivation for this prohibitive activity is religious ethics. For example, the League for Safe Internet, blessed by Patriarch Kirill, has been hunting for pedophiles in the social networks since 2011, as well as reporting online pornography, propaganda of extremism, LGBT, methods of committing suicide, and similar information, sinful from the Orthodox viewpoint. In spite of the very high level of internet penetration in Russian society (70.5% in 2015, ‘Internet World Users’ 2015), the idea of state control over the digital environment has found a receptive soil amo...
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Crisis Management Challenges in Kaliningrad captures the evolving nature of the types of crises faced by a society as it transforms and evolves. Once the westernmost bastion of the Soviet Union and ...
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Research Interests: Human Ecology, Geography, Russian Studies, Epidemiology, Climate Change, and 15 moreCrisis Management, Environmental Health, Air pollution, Risk Management, Public Health, Risk assessment, Environmental Sustainability, Mortality, Cities, Population, Moscow, Heat Waves, Pollution, Megalopolis, and Risk Assessment
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Research Interests: Marketing, Sociology, Russian Studies, International Relations, Public Diplomacy, and 12 morePolitical Science, Ideology, Ukrainian, Russian Foreign Policy, Social Media, Diplomacy, China, Stakeholder Relationships & Issues Management, The Internet, Russia, Communication and media Studies, and Place Branding and Public Diplomacy
President Vladimir Putin of Russia is in the centre stage of global reporting currently, mostly characterized in a negative sense. In Russia he is riding a wave of political popularity in his handling of the Ukraine crisis and the... more
President Vladimir Putin of Russia is in the centre stage of global reporting currently, mostly characterized in a negative sense. In Russia he is riding a wave of political popularity in his handling of the Ukraine crisis and the confrontation with the West. Beyond the borders of Russia he is presented and projected by various people as the embodiment of Hitler and Stalin, of being Soviet minded (to recreate the Soviet Union, for example) and Fascist. His personal character is attacked from different sides with various statements and conjecture, he is a bully, he is insecure and, more recently, a think tank linked to the Pentagon issued a report that concludes he has Asperger’s. Putin is projected as someone that is unpredictable, perhaps irrational, and definitely to be feared. Given this negative coverage in the global information sphere, is it possible for non-Russians to still like or admire some aspect of Putin? The power of mass media is a debated topic. On the one hand there are those that believe the role of mass media to be very influential in shaping how publics perceive and relate to the world around them and the personalities that inhabit it. Another side argues that mass media framing and narratives rarely change an individual’s beliefs and perceptions, rather they are more likely to act as a means of their consolidation. Either way, the information space is hotly contested by those individuals, organizations and countries seeking to persuade and influence publics with their message. In spite of the negative information on Putin in the global information sphere, there are those beyond the borders of Russia that do like or admire him. In an age of communication, which relies on the use of pathos, and the projection of key norms and values, there are relatively diverse groups across the political spectrum that like or admire Putin. Whereas the mainstream media often use the pathos of aversion (that is the use of strongly negative emotionally laden rhetoric that is designed to lead people to turn away from someone or something), these groups are using pathos of attraction (use of positive emotions that can cause the audience to be drawn to someone or something). These different groups also tend to inhabit specific environmental niches in the global information sphere that reinforce their world views and perceptions. So who are these different groups and individuals that like or admire Putin? There are different scales – countries, organizations/groups and individuals. They also inhabit a diverse area of the political spectrum, from right to left. In terms of countries that have close affiliations with Russia, rather than Putin per se, Serbia and Greece with
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fhs.se. ...
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This is a short essay summarizing some of the points made in the Keogh Oration, given in Australia in August 2015. The longer oration is also forthcoming, to be published as a monograph by the Australian Army.
Research Interests: Russian Studies, International Relations, Journalism, Peace and Conflict Studies, Propaganda, and 15 morePublic Diplomacy, Strategic Studies, Political Science, Mass Communication, Information Warfare, Strategic Communication, Mass media, Strategy, Ukraine, United States, International Strategy, Conventional Warfare, Hybrid War, Lawfare, and Strategy military science
Regional multipolarity has increased the complexity of geopolitical interests along with the worsening of international relations. Geopolitics is a means of not only interpreting the state of the political environment, but also in... more
Regional multipolarity has increased the complexity of geopolitical interests along with the worsening of international relations. Geopolitics is a means of not only interpreting the state of the political environment, but also in projecting the desired geo-economic end state for an actor. A much more pragmatic approach to securing perceived national interests is observed among newly emerging non-Western international actors in the Mediterranean region. This article analyses the energy factor which influences military-political situation in Eastern Mediterranean region with an emphasis upon Turkey and Russia’s sometimes cooperation and sometimes competition. The decision by Greece, Republic of Cyprus and Israel on commencement of construction of EastMed gas pipeline has been analysed. This decision was considered to be one of the key causes of the escalation in Libya. The conclusion is that Turkey strives to complicate the laying of any gas pipelines stretching from south-eastern direction to Europe bypassing its territory. The Russian escalation factor was also analysed. Finally, strategic risks for Turkey relating to its build-up of a military presence in Libya have been identified. These factors form the basis for consequences of possible escalation of conflict for the entire region.
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Events in Belarus erupted quickly from just before the election and have continued in the wake of it, carrying the hallmarks of a Colour Revolution-typology of an attempt at regime change. This comes at a time of heightened tensions... more
Events in Belarus erupted quickly from just before the election and have continued in the wake of it, carrying the hallmarks of a Colour Revolution-typology of an attempt at regime change. This comes at a time of heightened tensions between the West and Russia within the framework of the branded international relations event known as the New Cold War, which has the additional context of a transformation of the global order away from a US-centric unipolar configuration. The information realm political discourse by Western public information sources is studied to see how the information realm is manipulated to shape the cognitive realm of the various target groups to affect their perceptions, opinions and decision-making. The end state being to create a relative military and political advantage to the attacker over the defender and the allies of the defender.
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In this paper, the concept of studying the specifics of digital communication between the older (analogue) and younger (digital) generations in Russia is proposed. The process of communication opens up the possibility of a perception of... more
In this paper, the concept of studying the specifics of digital communication between the older (analogue) and younger (digital) generations in Russia is proposed. The process of communication opens up the possibility of a perception of communicative and cultural memory by the digital generation, which is in the process of socialization and awareness of cultural identity. We suggest methodological development and the testing of research methods into the transformation of communicative and cultural memory and ways of its transmission from the analogue to the digital generation of Russians. The proposed scientific and practical concept assumes the development of three basic directions. The first is related to the study of the general process of transformation of syncretic communicative and cultural memory in the digital environment. The second involves the study and modelling of media texts. Addressing the strategies of organizing multimedia narration and linguistic and statistical pe...
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Book review of Lost Kingdom: The Quest for Empire and the Making of the Russian Nation, from 1470 to the Present, By Serhii Plokhy, New York: Basic Books, 2017. Pp. xiii, 398, ISBN 978–0–465–09849–1
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Narratives determine our perception of a problem and the reality within the specific environment which it resides (Zalman & Clarke, 2009; Esch, 2010). This in turn, affects the means and the approach to solve that issue. One side effect... more
Narratives determine our perception of a problem and the reality within the specific environment which it resides (Zalman & Clarke, 2009; Esch, 2010). This in turn, affects the means and the approach to solve that issue. One side effect of an established narrative and is to limit how a particular issue is constructed and viewed, often at the expense of alternative explanations and views. This can be to the detriment of solving the problem/task at hand. “The central fallacy at the heart of the current narrative is that it employs a single prism to view a complex world” (Zalman & Clarke, 2009: 111). This is clearly seen within the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) that was launched in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US mainland by terrorists linked to Al Qaeda.
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This article examines the nature of the origin, definitions and functional principles of so-called fake news – reports that are deliberately false in nature which can create a stir in society around a non-existent informational case born... more
This article examines the nature of the origin, definitions and functional principles of so-called fake news – reports that are deliberately false in nature which can create a stir in society around a non-existent informational case born ofthesamenews source.Incombinationwithviraltechnologiesandmechanisms of distribution in the media and social networks, fake news in modern political campaigns is becoming a dangerous tool for influencing mass consciousness of societies. The main task of fake news in modern political campaigns and processes is interception of the political agenda, with its subsequent closure to the news feed generated by the fake news itself, as well as creation of general excitement around the given news story. This present article seeks to review and analyse the academic debates on the what (definition), how (operationalization) and why (motivation) questions pertaining to the fake news phenomena. These aspects are then combined to generate the beginnings of creati...
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The Coronavirus pandemic has caused a great deal of disruption and fear for countries and peoples around the globe. It has spread in a seemingly unstoppable manner, which has created a global crisis in terms of strategies to mitigate its... more
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused a great deal of disruption and fear for countries and peoples around the globe. It has spread in a seemingly unstoppable manner, which has created a global crisis in terms of strategies to mitigate its effects, and how these strategies are communicated is vital to the credibility and legitimacy of those relevant actors. This paper examines and analyses how the Swedish government attempted to frame its pandemic strategy in the international mass media as a successful example of the ‘Swedish model’. Initially, this was successful and those frames seemed to be accepted; however, this soon changed and instead of serving as an example to emulate it became a model to avoid. Using hegemony theory and indexing theory, this paper attempts to explain how and why this change occurred. The change in the coverage becomes apparent as the Swedish government’s coronavirus policy and strategy of Sweden begins to increasingly diverge from the global orthodoxy of ot...
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Sweden prides and projects itself as being a very modern and liberal society, and an integral and active member of the international community. Branding and reputation management play a key role in Swedish foreign policy as an attempted... more
Sweden prides and projects itself as being a very modern and liberal society, and an integral and active member of the international community. Branding and reputation management play a key role in Swedish foreign policy as an attempted perception force multiplier and with special attention given to curating the impression of Sweden as a value entrepreneur in 21st-century international relations. This begs the logical and critical question: does the communication hype match the substance of the practical implementation of Sweden’s foreign policy?
Greg Simons provides answers.
Greg Simons provides answers.
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Sweden is usually ranking very highly in terms of global democracy and transparency indexes. The 2018 elections in Sweden were very divisive and bitterly fought, where there was an open conflict between the mainstream political... more
Sweden is usually ranking very highly in terms of global democracy and transparency indexes. The 2018 elections in Sweden were very divisive and bitterly fought, where there was an open conflict between the mainstream political establishment parties and the anti-political establishment Swedish Democrats. Mainstream Swedish media were not neutral bystanders in the election coverage, in the months before and after the September 2018 elections. The election coverage framing featured an idealised national myth that uses the notion of various acceptable fundamental values to define it, and an idealised Swedish society. Those actors whose values and norms that do not fit these ideals were subjected to attack and derision within a concept of consensus enforcement known as the opinion corridor, which is akin to the spiral of silence.
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Journalism as a definition emerged more than two centuries ago and became actively promulgated in the study of media by core Western countries. Meanwhile, this term is often interpreted too freely, the term and practice are transgressing... more
Journalism as a definition emerged more than two centuries ago and became actively promulgated in the study of media by core Western countries. Meanwhile, this term is often interpreted too freely, the term and practice are transgressing in the 21st century. This is a theoretical paper that seeks to understand how the role of journalism and mass media have mutated and why as interpreted by scholars. On the one hand, it is followed with a lack of its complex essence is hindered by contemporary political, social, economic and technological challenges that occur in the way of its development. It is caught between the utopian and idealistic theoretical and conceptual projections that are intended to be the basis of its social capital and legitimacy and the practical dilemmas and hardships (economic and political) of the contemporary era that shift the profession away from the aforementioned ideals.
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Content The course is intended to increase student awareness and literacy concerning detecting and analyzing information and propaganda during periods of conflict. As such, it aims to go beyond the façade of military and political... more
Content
The course is intended to increase student awareness and literacy concerning detecting and analyzing information and propaganda during periods of conflict. As such, it aims to go beyond the façade of military and political conflict in order to understand those factors that influence how the public perceive and react to different wars. This is critical owing to the nature of modern wars, where an information and physical war simultaneously exist. Recent conflicts globally have demonstrated the very high level at which perception manipulation and communication management play in modern war. While information manipulation can be said to constitute an important part of creating a strategic narrative of the war, it also distorts our knowledge about the conflict. The course draws upon a number of cases of contemporary armed conflict, including the use of social media. As a part of the course, students are required to write an independent research report.
The course is intended to increase student awareness and literacy concerning detecting and analyzing information and propaganda during periods of conflict. As such, it aims to go beyond the façade of military and political conflict in order to understand those factors that influence how the public perceive and react to different wars. This is critical owing to the nature of modern wars, where an information and physical war simultaneously exist. Recent conflicts globally have demonstrated the very high level at which perception manipulation and communication management play in modern war. While information manipulation can be said to constitute an important part of creating a strategic narrative of the war, it also distorts our knowledge about the conflict. The course draws upon a number of cases of contemporary armed conflict, including the use of social media. As a part of the course, students are required to write an independent research report.
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International Conference: Access to Information in Time of Crisis – The UNESCO Information for all Programme Priorities and the COVID-19 Pandemic
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The Mass Communication Department of the Philological faculty of the RUDN University is pleased to invite you to attend the International Conference on Modern Media and PR trends, which will be held in Moscow, Russia, on April, 19th in... more
The Mass Communication Department of the Philological faculty of the RUDN University is pleased to invite you to attend the International Conference on Modern Media and PR trends, which will be held in Moscow, Russia, on April, 19th in 2019.
For the last few years, due to the increases in active information and communication technologies adoption, mass media activities have considerably changed in their organization and nature.
Digitalization processes have marked the beginning of a new era of mass media and communication development. The approaches to creating, disseminating and analyzing media texts have changed
significantly.
The emergence and consolidation of digital media, the creation of convergent editorial offices and newsrooms, the application of new multimedia technologies have caused the journalist role to change.
This rapid transformation of the communication landscape, the interlacing online and offline communications, media convergence, the birth of new formats and the growth of number of concepts
make it necessary to consider and reconsider our scientific terminologies.
For the last few years, due to the increases in active information and communication technologies adoption, mass media activities have considerably changed in their organization and nature.
Digitalization processes have marked the beginning of a new era of mass media and communication development. The approaches to creating, disseminating and analyzing media texts have changed
significantly.
The emergence and consolidation of digital media, the creation of convergent editorial offices and newsrooms, the application of new multimedia technologies have caused the journalist role to change.
This rapid transformation of the communication landscape, the interlacing online and offline communications, media convergence, the birth of new formats and the growth of number of concepts
make it necessary to consider and reconsider our scientific terminologies.
Research Interests:
The conference aims at exchanging and consolidating the cross-disciplinary experience of mass media discourse research by humanities and social scientists and discussing the views on the actual issues of mutual impact of mass media... more
The conference aims at exchanging and consolidating the cross-disciplinary experience of mass media discourse research by humanities and social scientists and discussing the views on the actual issues of mutual impact of mass media discourse and society, culture and education. General topics to discuss at the conference are: • Mass media and contemporary issues of the theory of discourse • Mass media in the humanities discourses • Social dimensions of mass media discourse • Mediatization of political events and activities • Visual turn in mass media and challenges for discourse analysis • New media and transformation of discursive practices • Axiology of mass media discourse: critical discourse analysis • Mass media discourse and artistic texts • Language of mass media today • Concepts of modern media culture • Intertext in mass media discourse • Media education in terms of mass media transformations 1 Project registered in RFBR as 18-012-20052 Г
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The 2017 Conference on Character Assassination in Theory and Practice took place at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus from March 3-5, 2017 and welcomed U.S. and international researchers from nearly 30 colleges and universities,... more
The 2017 Conference on Character Assassination in Theory and Practice took place at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus from March 3-5, 2017 and welcomed U.S. and international researchers from nearly 30 colleges and universities, studying different aspects of character assassination. The three-day CARP 2017 conference featured critical input from practitioners in crisis management, journalism, and public relations. Keynote speaker Eric Dezenhall offered a practitioner’s view of modern crisis management within a new media environment. A panel discussion on character assassination in today’s media landscape featured practitioners from The Hill, Washington Examiner, POLITICO, and other organizations
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Research Interests:
Character assassination (CA) is the deliberate destruction of an individual's reputation or credibility through character attacks. CA techniques include negative campaigning, spreading rumors, anonymous online defamation, and many other... more
Character assassination (CA) is the deliberate destruction of an individual's reputation or credibility through character attacks. CA techniques include negative campaigning, spreading rumors, anonymous online defamation, and many other tactics. All of these are common tactics in contemporary politics, but character attacks can also be targeted against celebrities, athletes, scientists and others with a high public profile. Attackers target the private lives, values, and very identity of their victims in an attempt to discredit them and subject them to scorn and ridicule. Character assassination has been a widespread method of power struggle for centuries.
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International conference “The Image of Islam in Russia” Date: 6-8 October, 2016 Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in... more
International conference “The Image of Islam in Russia”
Date: 6-8 October, 2016
Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala
Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in terms of official rhetoric and documents, the country prides itself on being a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. Yet, there are counter-veiling tendencies in Russian society that openly do not embrace or are suspicious of ‘Other’ cultures and identities. This can be seen with the rise of nationalism and the current insurgencies in the Northern Caucasus, which can influence public opinion and perception of Islam. The issues of ethnic and religious identities are increasingly under pressure from political actors, and this causes a lack of the needed frank and open discussions on the matter. The conference will explore how Islam is understood, viewed and projected in the public and media sphere in contemporary Russia. A multidisciplinary perspective shall be used to try and illuminate the different aspects to the debate, both historical and contemporary – therefore the disciplines shall include, but not be restricted to history, political science, sociology, religion and mass communication. It shall include how Islam projects itself to other communities and how other communities perceive and react to Islam.
You will find the programme as well as speakers’ biographies and paper abstracts in the attached files. Please visit our website http://www.ucrs.uu.se/conference-islam-russia/ to find out more about the event.
If you wish to attend the conference, please sign up by email to Erik Vlaeminck (erik.vlaeminck@ucrs.uu.se).
For further information, please contact conference organizer Greg Simons (greg.simons@ucrs.uu.se)
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
The conference is organized with a generous financial contribution from the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Date: 6-8 October, 2016
Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala
Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in terms of official rhetoric and documents, the country prides itself on being a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. Yet, there are counter-veiling tendencies in Russian society that openly do not embrace or are suspicious of ‘Other’ cultures and identities. This can be seen with the rise of nationalism and the current insurgencies in the Northern Caucasus, which can influence public opinion and perception of Islam. The issues of ethnic and religious identities are increasingly under pressure from political actors, and this causes a lack of the needed frank and open discussions on the matter. The conference will explore how Islam is understood, viewed and projected in the public and media sphere in contemporary Russia. A multidisciplinary perspective shall be used to try and illuminate the different aspects to the debate, both historical and contemporary – therefore the disciplines shall include, but not be restricted to history, political science, sociology, religion and mass communication. It shall include how Islam projects itself to other communities and how other communities perceive and react to Islam.
You will find the programme as well as speakers’ biographies and paper abstracts in the attached files. Please visit our website http://www.ucrs.uu.se/conference-islam-russia/ to find out more about the event.
If you wish to attend the conference, please sign up by email to Erik Vlaeminck (erik.vlaeminck@ucrs.uu.se).
For further information, please contact conference organizer Greg Simons (greg.simons@ucrs.uu.se)
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
The conference is organized with a generous financial contribution from the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Research Interests:
International conference “The Image of Islam in Russia” Date: 6-8 October, 2016 Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in... more
International conference “The Image of Islam in Russia”
Date: 6-8 October, 2016
Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala
Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in terms of official rhetoric and documents, the country prides itself on being a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. Yet, there are counter-veiling tendencies in Russian society that openly do not embrace or are suspicious of ‘Other’ cultures and identities. This can be seen with the rise of nationalism and the current insurgencies in the Northern Caucasus, which can influence public opinion and perception of Islam. The issues of ethnic and religious identities are increasingly under pressure from political actors, and this causes a lack of the needed frank and open discussions on the matter. The conference will explore how Islam is understood, viewed and projected in the public and media sphere in contemporary Russia. A multidisciplinary perspective shall be used to try and illuminate the different aspects to the debate, both historical and contemporary – therefore the disciplines shall include, but not be restricted to history, political science, sociology, religion and mass communication. It shall include how Islam projects itself to other communities and how other communities perceive and react to Islam.
You will find the programme as well as speakers’ biographies and paper abstracts in the attached files. Please visit our website http://www.ucrs.uu.se/conference-islam-russia/ to find out more about the event.
If you wish to attend the conference, please sign up by email to Erik Vlaeminck (erik.vlaeminck@ucrs.uu.se).
For further information, please contact conference organizer Greg Simons (greg.simons@ucrs.uu.se)
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
The conference is organized with a generous financial contribution from the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Date: 6-8 October, 2016
Location: Skarholmen Conference Facility, Skarholmsvägen 1, Uppsala
Since the collapse of Communism and the emergence of the Russian Federation, in terms of official rhetoric and documents, the country prides itself on being a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state. Yet, there are counter-veiling tendencies in Russian society that openly do not embrace or are suspicious of ‘Other’ cultures and identities. This can be seen with the rise of nationalism and the current insurgencies in the Northern Caucasus, which can influence public opinion and perception of Islam. The issues of ethnic and religious identities are increasingly under pressure from political actors, and this causes a lack of the needed frank and open discussions on the matter. The conference will explore how Islam is understood, viewed and projected in the public and media sphere in contemporary Russia. A multidisciplinary perspective shall be used to try and illuminate the different aspects to the debate, both historical and contemporary – therefore the disciplines shall include, but not be restricted to history, political science, sociology, religion and mass communication. It shall include how Islam projects itself to other communities and how other communities perceive and react to Islam.
You will find the programme as well as speakers’ biographies and paper abstracts in the attached files. Please visit our website http://www.ucrs.uu.se/conference-islam-russia/ to find out more about the event.
If you wish to attend the conference, please sign up by email to Erik Vlaeminck (erik.vlaeminck@ucrs.uu.se).
For further information, please contact conference organizer Greg Simons (greg.simons@ucrs.uu.se)
Admission is free of charge and open to the public.
The conference is organized with a generous financial contribution from the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences.
Research Interests:
The main theme of this year's congress " BLACKSEA POLITICAL ECONOMY AND REGIONAL SECURITY " and it aims to provide a platform for the in depth analysis from every aspect of politic economy and regional security in the black sea... more
The main theme of this year's congress " BLACKSEA POLITICAL ECONOMY AND REGIONAL SECURITY " and it aims to provide a platform for the in depth analysis from every aspect of politic economy and regional security in the black sea hinterland. In terms of global developments, for centuries Black Sea region is one of the strategic region as it stands at the center of the Eurasia. However, with the recent developments in particular, the Black Sea region has been passing through one of the most dynamic and complex transition that has never seen in its history before. The changing policies of major powers under the " New Cold War " rhetoric, dramatic changes in region's social and political dynamics, increasing dysfunctionality of existing structures and institutions, new eco-politics and geo-economics that emerges with widening and enlarging problems among neighboring countries all must be reassessed with a multi-dimensional and multi-layered approach. International Blue Black Sea Congress, which is the fifth of the series at this year and every year has led important academic and political outcomes, aims at the analyzes of these new dynamics, the discussion of regional problems, developments and deepening of cooperation opportunities and confidence building measures, and the solutions to these problems as a platform that gathers both academicians-researchers and policy makers-policy practitioners.
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50% discount – use code
Research Interests: Religion, Comparative Religion, Russian Studies, International Relations, Catholic Studies, and 15 moreLutheranism, Politics, Political Religion, Shamanism, Nationalism And State Building, Islamic Studies, Russian Orthodoxy, Poland, Azerbaijan, Orthodox Christianity, Religious Studies, Romania, Estonia, Post-Communist Studies, and Church-state relations
A chapter in ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY by Andrei Tsygankov due to be published 2018
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This article seeks to address the impact of social media and citizen journalism on mainstream Russian news by asking those engaged directly or indirectly in the field of professional journalism for their opinions and perceptions. It seeks... more
This article seeks to address the impact of social media and citizen journalism on mainstream Russian news by asking those engaged directly or indirectly in the field of professional journalism for their opinions and perceptions. It seeks to answer is there any kind of discernible effect so far, and if so, if this influence consolidated. In order to reach these questions it is essential to understand the role and nature of news in Russia, as well as conceptual and theoretical treatment of both social media and citizen journalism. Qualitative data was collected from a questionnaire sent to journalists, educators, and a group of students. Together the result revealed that the effect of new technology has spurred a development in the freedom of information. It was more problematic to identify if this was consolidated or not.
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Research Interests: Education, Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict, War Studies, Unesco, and 15 moreEducation for Citizenship, Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution, Peace Education, Global education, Citizenship, Peace, Peacebuilding, Educación, Global Citizenship Education, UNHCR, Acnur, Educar Para Vivir, Global Education Magazine, and Global Social Justice and Education
Keynote Speaker: Ramona Naddaff (UC Berkeley) Obscenity! Blasphemy! Treason! Justifications for censorship imply that censored objects hold the power to subvert moral, religious, and civic good. The censor assumes that power, turning... more
Keynote Speaker: Ramona Naddaff (UC Berkeley)
Obscenity! Blasphemy! Treason! Justifications for censorship imply that censored objects hold the power to subvert moral, religious, and civic good. The censor assumes that power, turning the censored object into a hidden hypothetical danger, whose excision from public view reinforces values and even realities the censor is protecting. This conference seeks to understand the power, interactions, and evolution of the censor, censored, and censorship. We welcome presentations addressing theoretical or actual censorship of a range of objects (e.g. text, sound, visual media, education, thought) and from across disciplines (e.g. literature, history, philosophy, film studies, art history, anthropology, politics, law).
Please send an abstract of your proposed presentation (200–300 words) and a brief bio to Dr. L. Acadia (acadia@ntu.edu.tw) by Sept 7, 2021.
Obscenity! Blasphemy! Treason! Justifications for censorship imply that censored objects hold the power to subvert moral, religious, and civic good. The censor assumes that power, turning the censored object into a hidden hypothetical danger, whose excision from public view reinforces values and even realities the censor is protecting. This conference seeks to understand the power, interactions, and evolution of the censor, censored, and censorship. We welcome presentations addressing theoretical or actual censorship of a range of objects (e.g. text, sound, visual media, education, thought) and from across disciplines (e.g. literature, history, philosophy, film studies, art history, anthropology, politics, law).
Please send an abstract of your proposed presentation (200–300 words) and a brief bio to Dr. L. Acadia (acadia@ntu.edu.tw) by Sept 7, 2021.
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Censorship, Journalism, Internet Studies, Literature, and 15 moreCritical Race Theory, China, Degenerate Art, Censorship (History), Film Censorship, Pornography, Censorship of literary and popular culture texts, Book Censorship (history), Conferences, Obscenity, Censorship in Music, Internet censorship, Book burning, Blasphemy, and Fake News
Information letter Dear colleagues! We invite you to take part in the all-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation on the basis of the Department Journalism on April 23-24, 2020. PROFESSIONAL CULTURE OF... more
Information letter Dear colleagues! We invite you to take part in the all-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation on the basis of the Department Journalism on April 23-24, 2020. PROFESSIONAL CULTURE OF A JOURNALIST IN THE ERA OF SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATIONS The Faculty of Journalism has been studying the professional culture of journalists and other problems of mass media for more than a quarter of a century. More than 20 conferences have been held and there are 16 published monographs and more than 150 collections of scientific articles with the participation of domestic and foreign researchers. This conference is a further continuation of these important topics development for the existence of the profession. The conference will discuss the following topics:
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Upcoming convention 23-25 June 2016 Co-joint Convention of theCentral and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA) and the International Studies Association (ISA) “The Politics of International Relations” Faculty of the... more
Upcoming convention
23-25 June 2016
Co-joint Convention of theCentral and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA) and the International Studies Association (ISA)
“The Politics of International Relations”
Faculty of the Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
23-25 June 2016
Co-joint Convention of theCentral and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA) and the International Studies Association (ISA)
“The Politics of International Relations”
Faculty of the Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Research Interests:
The historical past serves as a reference point of contextual meaning in the present day, where communicated memory via digital media illustrates the collective lessons and memory of the past to make sense of the current times. This is... more
The historical past serves as a reference point of contextual meaning in the present day, where communicated memory via digital media illustrates the collective lessons and memory of the past to make sense of the current times. This is currently the case, where digital news media are using news stories from mankind’s historical experiences with pandemics in the making of meaning for the current COVID-19 pandemic. It is a commonly used element in the approach by media outlets in reporting on crisis situations. However, the lessons of past and present do not always align as the logic of the reporting is interpretive journalism and the wrong lessons can be drawn.
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COVID-19 has affected global societies comprehensively at the local, regional and international levels and has fundamentally altered the relational dynamics of mankind. Mass media and journalism have played an extremely uncritical,... more
COVID-19 has affected global societies comprehensively at the local, regional and international levels and has fundamentally altered the relational dynamics of mankind. Mass media and journalism have played an extremely uncritical, supportive and subservient role to their governments’ agenda in the West. This contradicts the rhetoric of their role as a fourth estate, but confirms their role as an engineer of consent. This engineering has been conducted through the systematic exclusion of critical voices, derided as being harmful ‘anti-vaxxers’.
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Given at the workshop on The EU’s Comprehensive Approach to External Conflict and Crisis Management held in Kyiv,, Ukraine 9-13 April 2017
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Research Interests: Marketing, Russian Studies, International Relations, Communication, Legitimacy and Authority, and 15 moreTerrorism, Narrative, Propaganda, Values, International Security, Identity (Culture), Security Studies, Culture, Strategic Communication, Information operations (IO), Persuasion, Social Influence, Isis Cult, Messaging, and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Islamic State is one of the most revolutionary and dangerous political movements of modern times, but its attraction it often highly misunderstood. How and why does ISIS appeal to some? The Islamic State (also known as ISIS and Daesh),... more
Islamic State is one of the most revolutionary and dangerous political movements of modern times, but its attraction it often highly misunderstood. How and why does ISIS appeal to some?
The Islamic State (also known as ISIS and Daesh), seemingly enjoyed a meteoric rise to power and infamy. ISIS was simultaneously an entity that was admired and/or feared, as this new force attracted vast media attention and reporting. It appeared an unstoppable force, sweeping aside armed forces opposing them in Iraq, Syria and Libya. During 2015, 15 vast tracts of territory in Iraq and Syria were taken. But there was another side to ISIS, some kind of attraction that lured a wide variety of people, including those from the West, to their cause. It was something that many found difficult to understand, let alone adequately explain. When trying to analyse this from the point of view of competing norms and values, between the West and ISIS it may superficially seem to be an ‘obvious’ choice between the projection of freedom and liberty in the West, and oppression and violence by ISIS. However, the realities of this case, both actual and perceived, are more complex. Understanding the lure of ISIS requires some critical self-reflection from the West, and not only on what has been done by ISIS. How and why does ISIS appeal to some Western publics?
The Islamic State (also known as ISIS and Daesh), seemingly enjoyed a meteoric rise to power and infamy. ISIS was simultaneously an entity that was admired and/or feared, as this new force attracted vast media attention and reporting. It appeared an unstoppable force, sweeping aside armed forces opposing them in Iraq, Syria and Libya. During 2015, 15 vast tracts of territory in Iraq and Syria were taken. But there was another side to ISIS, some kind of attraction that lured a wide variety of people, including those from the West, to their cause. It was something that many found difficult to understand, let alone adequately explain. When trying to analyse this from the point of view of competing norms and values, between the West and ISIS it may superficially seem to be an ‘obvious’ choice between the projection of freedom and liberty in the West, and oppression and violence by ISIS. However, the realities of this case, both actual and perceived, are more complex. Understanding the lure of ISIS requires some critical self-reflection from the West, and not only on what has been done by ISIS. How and why does ISIS appeal to some Western publics?
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A conference is to be held in Uppsala, Sweden on 6-8 October 2016 on the theme of the image of Islam in Russia.
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Greg Simons, Technology and Culture, Volume 58, Number 1, January 2017, pp. 290-291. Review of Carnage and Connectivity: Landmarks in the Decline of Conventional Military Power. By David Betz. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015. Pp.... more
Greg Simons, Technology and Culture, Volume 58, Number 1, January 2017, pp. 290-291. Review of Carnage and Connectivity: Landmarks in the Decline of Conventional Military Power. By David Betz. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015. Pp. 264. $55.
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Matusitz's comprehensive book is seemingly aimed at undergraduate students or those who have not extensively studied the issue of terrorism. However, it is of use to a broader audience given the breadth and depth of the issue of terrorism... more
Matusitz's comprehensive book is seemingly aimed at undergraduate students or those who have not extensively studied the issue of terrorism. However, it is of use to a broader audience given the breadth and depth of the issue of terrorism and communication. The content of the book lives up to its title – it is a critical introduction to the topic of how and why terrorism and communication interact with each other. A lot of work has gone into this book in terms of research and writing, and there is a vast wealth of media and other non-academic sources. These sources provide much added value to the content, giving a hint at the broad selection of sources used. The book is logically sequenced and organized into 16 chapters and a glossary. Chapters begin with basic issues such as defining terrorism, terrorism as a communication process and the framing of terrorism. Then gradually the reader is engaged in more complex issues. Examples of these issues include the diffusion of innovation and terrorism, the globalization of terrorism, international and interpersonal perspectives of terrorists, ending with the topic of crisis communication and intelligence. All topics that can be considered within the fields of communication and terrorism are covered within the chapters of the book. They are presented at a basic academic level, but the different aspects are well connected to each other, which enables the reader to develop a better and more complete strategic vision of how each of these aspects relate to and interact with each other. At the beginning of each chapter, the reader is given the aims and goals of the chapter, and what knowledge will be acquired in the process of reading (what should be learned as a result of reading that particular chapter). Each chapter begins with a definition of a key concept and then moves on to presenting the reader with a series of theories and concepts with which to understand the chapter's subject. All key words are defined as the chapter progresses. Chapters also contain an empirical application of the given theories and concepts, and a specific case study is presented. Each chapter closes with a concise summary of its content. One of the strengths of this book is that it takes a multitude of perspectives of key communicational aspects of terrorism, exploring the views of all sides (terrorists, governments and others). It challenges key assumptions and exposes points of view that do