EPISODE 41: Cutting through the “fog of war” in global conflicts
Mar 11, 2024
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In this conversation, Shashank Joshi, Defense Editor of The Economist and expert on global conflicts, dives into the challenges of reporting amidst the 'fog of war.' He discusses disinformation tactics in the Ukraine conflict and how Russia has manipulated narratives to undermine support for Ukraine. Joshi also highlights the difficulty of disseminating accurate information in volatile areas like Gaza, urging a blend of traditional journalism and modern technology. The discussion touches on escalating geopolitical tensions in regions such as the South China Sea and India-China border.
The fog of war intensifies the challenges of accurately reporting global conflicts, necessitating a skeptical, verification-focused approach from journalists.
Russia's disinformation strategy in Ukraine illustrates how misinformation is weaponized to undermine confidence and shape narratives in geopolitical conflicts.
Deep dives
Navigating the Fog of War
The concept of the fog of war captures the uncertainties and challenges faced in military conflicts, particularly in reporting on them accurately. This fog has grown thicker due to the overwhelming presence of disinformation, propaganda, and noise generated by various actors, complicating the task for journalists and analysts. To address these challenges, credible sources employ a thorough and skeptical approach, prioritizing verification over the impulse to break news quickly. Utilizing traditional journalism methods alongside modern digital forensics, these professionals strive to discern the authenticity and context of information in a rapidly changing battlefield environment.
Russian Disinformation Tactics
Russia's strategy in Ukraine exemplifies the use of disinformation to shape narratives that serve its geopolitical ambitions. Key statements from the Kremlin falsely portray Ukraine as a failing nation, while simultaneously attempting to weaken European resolve by fostering doubts about Western support for Ukraine. Through provocative actions and the manipulation of social divisions within European countries, Russia aims to amplify perceptions of disarray, thereby eroding confidence in Ukraine's position. Additionally, technological operations, such as cyber warfare and bot networks, contribute significantly to instilling a sense of pessimism regarding the outcome of the conflict.
Challenges in Reporting on Gaza
The reporting landscape in the Gaza conflict is particularly complex due to the control exerted by Hamas over casualty data, leading to questions about the reliability of information. Journalists face the dilemma of navigating figures from sources that lack independent verification while balancing humanitarian concerns with a commitment to transparency. A cautious approach is essential, acknowledging the limitations of available data and the historical context of figures reported by the Hamas Health Ministry. Moreover, the importance of delaying initial judgments until sufficient evidence is collected is highlighted as critical to maintaining credibility in an environment where misinformation can significantly influence public perception.
In this episode of DISINFORMATION WARS, host Ilan Berman speaks with Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor of The Economist, regarding the challenges of accurately covering global conflicts in an era of rampant disinformation and digital manipulation.
Bio:
Shashank Joshi is The Economist‘s defence editor. Prior to joining The Economist in 2018, he served as Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and Research Associate at Oxford University’s Changing Character of War Programme. He has published books on Iran’s nuclear programme and India’s armed forces, written for a wide range of newspapers and journals, and appeared regularly on radio and television. He holds degrees from Cambridge and Harvard, where he served as a Kennedy Scholar from Britain to the United States.
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