Russian Civilian Outreach and Information Operations in Syria
Russian Civilian Outreach and Information Operations in Syria

Author(s): Jan Daniel, Dominik Presl
Subject(s): Media studies, Civil Society, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Political behavior, Politics and communication, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: Russia; Syria; Information operations; soft power; Syrian media ecosystem; Government-Affiliated Social Media; Russian goals in Syria;
Summary/Abstract: The large-scale Russian military intervention in Syria entered its seventh year in 2021. Major military operations seem to be halted for now and the Syrian government, together with its allies, has been able to reconquer significant portions of the country’s territory. Nevertheless, the Syrian territory continues to be fragmented and the Syrian government faces a wide range of challenges, from the collapsing economy to simmering local opposition in certain regions. Russian involvement in the conflict, and in the country more broadly, is far from over and it is still requested by the Syrian regime. Even though Russia might be involved in various power-struggles inside the Syrian governmental apparatus and economic structures and there are several important differences between Russian and Syrian visions of the future political development, the dependence of the Syrian government on Russian support means that its presence in the country is, thus far, secured.

• Details
• Contents