Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives

Subversion examines how malicious state and nonstate actors take advantage of the information space to sow political chaos, focusing on recent subversion campaigns by Russia and the United Arab Emirates. It provides scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of the threat and recommendations on how vulnerable communities can become more resilient.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2023
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

The weaponization of information poses a significant threat to open societies, as communities worldwide become increasingly interconnected in a complex global information ecosystem. The ripple effects of actors attempting to manipulate or disrupt this ecosystem are far-reaching, extending beyond the realm of information itself. In fact, the weaponization of narratives has the potential to shape the nature of conflict in the twenty-first century. Subversion delves into how malicious state and nonstate actors exploit the information space to create political chaos. Andreas Krieg sheds light on how the coordinated use of weaponized narratives can achieve strategic-level effects through a six-stage process. These campaigns begin by targeting vulnerable states and communities, identifying fault lines within societies, and utilizing the information space to influence policy, voting behavior, and even incite political violence. Krieg provides a detailed examination of recent subversion campaigns by two states, specifically Russia's interference in Western public discourse and the United Arab Emirates' demonization of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Subversion aims to provide scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of this urgent threat to international politics, along with recommendations for vulnerable communities to enhance their resilience.

The weaponization of information poses a significant threat to open societies, as communities worldwide become increasingly interconnected in a complex global information ecosystem. The ripple effects of actors attempting to manipulate or disrupt this ecosystem are far-reaching, extending beyond the realm of information itself. In fact, the weaponization of narratives has the potential to shape the nature of conflict in the twenty-first century. Subversion delves into how malicious state and nonstate actors exploit the information space to create political chaos. Andreas Krieg sheds light on how the coordinated use of weaponized narratives can achieve strategic-level effects through a six-stage process. These campaigns begin by targeting vulnerable states and communities, identifying fault lines within societies, and utilizing the information space to influence policy, voting behavior, and even incite political violence. Krieg provides a detailed examination of recent subversion campaigns by two states, specifically Russia's interference in Western public discourse and the United Arab Emirates' demonization of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Subversion aims to provide scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of this urgent threat to international politics, along with recommendations for vulnerable communities to enhance their resilience.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647123352