Firehose of Falsehood

I highly recommend this 2016 article published by RAND. It's an excellent primer on how and why the Russian propaganda machine is so effective, and it helps explain why there is a growing contingent on the political right in this country that is cheering for Putin.

Disinformation, obfuscation, and other techniques have been used effectively by the Russian propaganda machine to influence public opinion in the U.S. (Illustration created by ChatGPT 4 using prompts written by Darren Phillips on April 29, 2025.)

I keep hearing the same talking points: Zelenskyy's a thug, Putin is smart, Putin is strong, Biden (or perhaps Biden's son) is in bed with Ukraine or otherwise beholden to Zelenskyy for Machiavellian reasons, and on and on.

Disinformation, obfuscation and other techniques described here are nothing new, but social media and the internet make it all too easy for nefarious, bad-faith actors to sow discord and confusion and ultimately divide the West. This article is stunning, actually, and sobering.

Perhaps some of you will spend time with friends and loved ones this Easter weekend who have clearly "bought in" and basically been led astray. Make no mistake, Putin is no friend of the U.S.

Read the RAND article before your guests arrive. With any luck, your conversations will steer well clear of politics, but you never know. Knowledge is power. ♜

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Note: Image and additional web links added in 2025.

Relevant Reading

The Components of Russia's Undeclared War Against the West

Russia’s undeclared war against the West is intensifying, leveraging fear, destabilization, and covert operations to undermine NATO unity and Western resilience

The Russian 'Firehose of Falsehood' Propaganda Model

Why it Might Work and Options to Counter it