Putin's Propaganda Machine: Soft Power and Russian Foreign Policy

by Marcel H Van Herpen

This book examines Russia's "information war," one of the most striking features of its intervention in Ukraine. Marcel H. Van Herpen argues that the Kremlin's propaganda offensive is a carefully prepared strategy, implemented and tested over the last decade. Initially intended as a tool to enhance Russia's soft power, it quickly developed into one of the main instruments of Russia's new imperialism, reminiscent of the height of the Cold War. Van Herpen demonstrates that the Kremlin's propaganda machine plays not only a central role in its "hybrid war" in Ukraine, but that it also has broader geopolitical objectives intended to roll back the influence of NATO and the United States in Europe. Drawing on years of research, Van Herpen shows how the Kremlin built a multitude of soft power instruments and transformed them into effective weapons in a new information war with the West.

Genres: Russia, Politics, Nonfiction, International Relations

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2015

Reviews

[Frankie]

Not bad, just mind-numbing

[Mari]

Selleks, et mõista Ukrainale kallaletungi põhjuseid ning peent ja järjepidevat strateegilist infosõda, soovitan lugeda.

[Ari R]

Quite a good one, specifically if you want to know more theory about Russia's view of soft power. Had to skim through the French and German parts because they felt just too loaded. Otherwise, a decent book for my master's.

[kat]

A very important book, but sometimes an absolute slog to get through