Julia Dobrowolska’s article, featured in the Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review (2024), presents a rigorous and thought-provoking examination of disinformation as a strategic instrument of influence in the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) context. The 3SI, a regional cooperation platform encompassing Central and Eastern European states, is uniquely vulnerable to hybrid threats, particularly those from Russian disinformation campaigns. These efforts undermine the Initiative’s credibility, sow discord among its member states, and disrupt its relations with international partners.
Through an in-depth frame analysis of cases identified by the EUvsDisinfo project, Dobrowolska reconstructs the hostile narratives targeting the 3SI. The study identifies four primary interpretive frames used to disseminate manipulated or false information: the portrayal of the United States as an anti-Russian hegemon, the depiction of Poland as a pseudo-power pursuing regional dominance, the characterization of Central European states as inherently Russophobic, and the narrative of Western exploitation of 3SI countries. Each frame is carefully constructed to exploit existing socio-political tensions and foster divisions within the Initiative and its transatlantic partnerships.
Dobrowolska’s work highlights the strategic use of disinformation to influence public perception and international policy, underscoring its role as a critical component of hybrid warfare. The article offers valuable insights into the broader implications for regional stability, European integration, and global security by shedding light on the mechanisms and objectives behind these disinformation campaigns. This publication is essential for researchers, policymakers, and security professionals interested in the dynamics of modern information warfare and its impact on regional and international cooperation.
Access the whole article in LASR, Vol. 22 to delve into this comprehensive study and its implications for countering disinformation in an increasingly interconnected world.
