Russian Information Warfare: Assault on Democracies in the Cyber Wild West

Russian Information Warfare: Assault on Democracies in the Cyber Wild West explores how Moscow uses cyber operations, disinformation, protests, assassinations, coups d'états, and explosions to destroy democracies from within. The book analyzes how the Russian government uses these tools to achieve its objectives and recommends improvements in U.S. policy to counter Russian adversarial behavior in cyberspace.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2022
Publisher: Naval Institute Press

Russian Information Warfare: Assault on Democracies in the Cyber Wild West delves into the intricate tactics employed by Moscow to undermine the foundations of democratic societies. Through a comprehensive analysis, the book explores how the Russian government utilizes a range of cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, protests, assassinations, coups d'états, and even potential explosions to dismantle democracies from within. Moreover, it examines the measures that the United States and other NATO countries can take to safeguard themselves against Russia's relentless onslaught.

The Kremlin has been employing cyber operations as a vital component of its foreign policy for over a decade, targeting the political infrastructure of NATO member states. Alongside these cyber operations, the Russian government has initiated a multifaceted and cunning array of activities that, at first glance, may appear disjointed. However, Russian military scholars and doctrine have skillfully categorized these activities as part of a unified strategic playbook known as information warfare. This concept challenges the traditional dichotomy between war and peace, viewing war as a continuous spectrum of conflict that oscillates between the two extremes of peace and war, yet never fully reaching either.

The Russian government has deployed information warfare activities across NATO member states to achieve a variety of objectives. These objectives include influencing public opinion, undermining political stability, and disrupting democratic processes. Understanding the factors that drive Russia's decision-making in launching specific types of cyber operations against political infrastructure and how they are integrated with the Kremlin's broader information warfare campaigns is crucial. Furthermore, assessing the effectiveness of these cyber operations and information warfare campaigns in achieving Moscow's purported goals is essential.

Dr. Bilyana Lilly, in her groundbreaking research, addresses these critical questions and provides valuable insights to improve the design of U.S. policy to counter Russian information warfare. By examining the tactics employed by Moscow, Dr. Lilly offers recommendations for strengthening democratic resilience, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and fostering international cooperation in countering cyber threats.

Russian Information Warfare: Assault on Democracies in the Cyber Wild West serves as a timely warning and a call to action. It underscores the urgent need for governments, organizations, and individuals to recognize the gravity of the threat posed by Russia's information warfare tactics. By adopting a proactive and collaborative approach, we can strengthen our defenses, protect democratic values, and ensure the stability and prosperity of our societies in the digital age.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682477199