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  • Elene Panchulidze has been an affiliated analyst at Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) since April 2017. At different times she has held positions of the Research Coordinator, Policy Analyst and the Subgrant Coordinator in projects implemented by GIP. She extensively worked on issues concerning Georgia’s European integration, implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA, civil society empowerment and democratization.Currently, Ms. Panchulidze is a Research and Teaching Assistant at the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department at the College of Europe (Bruges). Her major research areas include European Integration, Eastern Partnership (EaP), Democracy Promotion and Peace Mediation. She is author and co-author of various academic and think-tank based publications.Previously, Ms. Panchulidze served as the Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union in Georgia, as well as at the Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission at the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Georgia. Besides, she worked on various international projects in the capacity of an independent consultant.Elene holds Masters’ degrees in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from College of Europe (Bruges) and Diplomacy and International Politics from Tbilisi state university (TSU), as well as the bachelor’s degree in International Relations from TSU.

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29/06/2017 Elene Panchulidze

Russian Soft Power: Balancing the Propaganda – Threats and Challenges

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Author

  • Elene Panchulidze has been an affiliated analyst at Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) since April 2017. At different times she has held positions of the Research Coordinator, Policy Analyst and the Subgrant Coordinator in projects implemented by GIP. She extensively worked on issues concerning Georgia’s European integration, implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA, civil society empowerment and democratization.Currently, Ms. Panchulidze is a Research and Teaching Assistant at the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department at the College of Europe (Bruges). Her major research areas include European Integration, Eastern Partnership (EaP), Democracy Promotion and Peace Mediation. She is author and co-author of various academic and think-tank based publications.Previously, Ms. Panchulidze served as the Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union in Georgia, as well as at the Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission at the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Georgia. Besides, she worked on various international projects in the capacity of an independent consultant.Elene holds Masters’ degrees in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from College of Europe (Bruges) and Diplomacy and International Politics from Tbilisi state university (TSU), as well as the bachelor’s degree in International Relations from TSU.

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Publish Date:
2017-06-29 10:02:26
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The use of Russian Soft Power and propaganda for the purpose of realizing foreign policy objectiveshas become increasingly noticeable in different parts of the world. Russian Soft Power in line with state-developed and controlled propaganda is commonly used to create and distribute narratives supporting the current regime in the Kremlin. By the spread of disinformation, biased interpretation of historical facts, and aggressive manipulation of value systems, Moscow is attempting to legitimize its external actions and justify its geopolitical interests.

Russian propaganda is especially active in the countries which are believed to belong the Russia’s traditional “Sphere of Influence” and which clearly proclaim a pro-Western foreign policy course. Subsequent to the 2008 August war together with obvious actions aimed at the annexation of Georgian territories, Russia is dynamically using disinformation and propaganda to hinder Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

Obviously, the threat that has become a challenge for Europe and the United State is a major problem for Georgia as well. In 2017,within the Strategic Defence Review 2017-2020 and the Communication Strategy of the Government of Georgia on Georgia’s EU and NATO Membership for 2017-2020 the Government of Georgia officially labeled Russian “soft power” as athreat to Georgia’s national interests, particularly by hampering its Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.Nevertheless, the fight against Russian Soft Power and propaganda remains a significant challenge for Georgia on its path toward deepening relations with the West.

The present policy document is aimed at reviewing and analyzing the foreign policy objectives of Russian soft power and evaluating steps taken by the Georgian government to combat it at the national level. Additionally, this document offers concrete recommendations for reducing the influence of anti-Western propaganda on Georgia’spopulation and extensively enhance the country’s strategic communication capabilities.

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Elene Panchulidze

Elene Panchulidze has been an affiliated analyst at Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) since April 2017. At different times she has held positions of the Research Coordinator, Policy Analyst and the Subgrant Coordinator in projects implemented by GIP. She extensively worked on issues concerning Georgia’s European integration, implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA, civil society empowerment and democratization.Currently, Ms. Panchulidze is a Research and Teaching Assistant at the EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department at the College of Europe (Bruges). Her major research areas include European Integration, Eastern Partnership (EaP), Democracy Promotion and Peace Mediation. She is author and co-author of various academic and think-tank based publications.Previously, Ms. Panchulidze served as the Political Officer at the Delegation of the European Union in Georgia, as well as at the Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission at the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Georgia. Besides, she worked on various international projects in the capacity of an independent consultant.Elene holds Masters’ degrees in EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies from College of Europe (Bruges) and Diplomacy and International Politics from Tbilisi state university (TSU), as well as the bachelor’s degree in International Relations from TSU.