It is also well known that Russia has an extensive disinformation campaign in Africa, especially in the Francophone countries that have recently had military coups that kicked out French and UN troops and brought in Russia’s Wagner mercenaries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger).
I live in an Anglophone country in West Africa, where we increasingly also see Russian disinformation penetrating via social media as well as mainstream platforms.
Earlier this month the Africa Center for Strategic Studies - a US government-funded academic institution - published an in-depth report on disinformation in Africa. And it’s not only Russia we have to think about.
It is now common knowledge that Putin manipulated and heavily funded the Brexit vote in the UK. Breaking up the EU was one uf his great successes.
With Trump he is employing the greatest fifth collumn opperation in the history of the world.
Germany is now wise to past manipulation, but the economy was decimated in the process. Poland slipped though his fingers, but only just.
This is global.
He has had absolute and total control of the interenet in the Russian language for decades, policed by block after block of buildings in St Petersburg packed with an army Trolls and hackers.
He then turned it global. He is doing very well in Africa..... and the USA
I really looked forward to reading your dispatches at breakfast. Have you switched to all audio? If so, that's the end of my following your very well written commentary.
Love your letters. Usually agree and love learning more about issues I care about. But today I totally disagree with what you have said about Ukraine and Russian propaganda. The majority of the population of the area controlled by Russia now were consistantly in favor of Russian oriented leaders in all earlier elections. The histtory of those areas is more closely related to Russia than anywhere else, as Putin says. We don't know what Ukrainians think of continuing the war since Zelinski did not allow an election this spring. Prof. Mearsheimer said yesterday that US doersn't send weapons because it doesn't have them. I say, they are giving what we have to Israel. Russia will win, actually has won, and further war will only kill more Ukrainians.
I'm a Massacbhusetts girl, very much a democrat - although very unhappy with Biden. I'm a retired academic with undergrad and PhD from Columbia and career taking me to German (7 years) , France (one year) and Italy, plus a high school year in England. I taught in Poland and Hungary. ETC. Would love having direct contact with you. I now live in Maine.
I read your column as I listen to you read it aloud. It helps my comprehension and memory.
It is also well known that Russia has an extensive disinformation campaign in Africa, especially in the Francophone countries that have recently had military coups that kicked out French and UN troops and brought in Russia’s Wagner mercenaries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger).
I live in an Anglophone country in West Africa, where we increasingly also see Russian disinformation penetrating via social media as well as mainstream platforms.
Earlier this month the Africa Center for Strategic Studies - a US government-funded academic institution - published an in-depth report on disinformation in Africa. And it’s not only Russia we have to think about.
https://africacenter.org/spotlight/mapping-a-surge-of-disinformation-in-africa/
Evil genius
It is now common knowledge that Putin manipulated and heavily funded the Brexit vote in the UK. Breaking up the EU was one uf his great successes.
With Trump he is employing the greatest fifth collumn opperation in the history of the world.
Germany is now wise to past manipulation, but the economy was decimated in the process. Poland slipped though his fingers, but only just.
This is global.
He has had absolute and total control of the interenet in the Russian language for decades, policed by block after block of buildings in St Petersburg packed with an army Trolls and hackers.
He then turned it global. He is doing very well in Africa..... and the USA
Sounds more like god the way you describe him.
And she blocked me 🙂
Mimi, those are facts not opinions.
But you just keep on blocking yourself away into your little bubble
I like listening to you read your column but worry that doing so cuts into you much need rest.
I am so, so grateful for your audio letters. My weak eyes can rest as I listen.
I sure wish we could get congress on board to fully support Ukraine.
Needed
I really looked forward to reading your dispatches at breakfast. Have you switched to all audio? If so, that's the end of my following your very well written commentary.
Written and Audio are both available.
Love your letters. Usually agree and love learning more about issues I care about. But today I totally disagree with what you have said about Ukraine and Russian propaganda. The majority of the population of the area controlled by Russia now were consistantly in favor of Russian oriented leaders in all earlier elections. The histtory of those areas is more closely related to Russia than anywhere else, as Putin says. We don't know what Ukrainians think of continuing the war since Zelinski did not allow an election this spring. Prof. Mearsheimer said yesterday that US doersn't send weapons because it doesn't have them. I say, they are giving what we have to Israel. Russia will win, actually has won, and further war will only kill more Ukrainians.
I'm a Massacbhusetts girl, very much a democrat - although very unhappy with Biden. I'm a retired academic with undergrad and PhD from Columbia and career taking me to German (7 years) , France (one year) and Italy, plus a high school year in England. I taught in Poland and Hungary. ETC. Would love having direct contact with you. I now live in Maine.
“Gerasimov doctrine”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerasimov_doctrine#:~:text=It%20is%20based%20on%20Gerasimov's,and%20other%20non%2Dmilitary%20activities.