Publication Date
12-4-2023
Abstract
Although often overlooked, Bosnia and Herzegovina presents a relevant case study of how Russian subversive tactics, particularly disinformation campaigns, can influence domestic politics. Of the variety of subversive tactics used in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia’s social media and disinformation campaigns have remained the most effective and reflect a broader, global trend. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, social media use increased worldwide. Thus, Russia took advantage of that rise in social media usage and the rise in far-right conspiracy theories to increase its foothold in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia has played on local concerns about EU ascension by questioning the EU’s true interests and emphasizing concerns over the West’s ability to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, despite Russia’s larger foothold, its media campaigns have had a limited scope and audience; thus, their effectiveness as propaganda tools is questionable. Furthermore, Russia’s war in Ukraine has limited its ability to be actively involved in the Balkans, leaving the country unable to employ its political and economic tactics to gain influence. “Subversion” refers to any activity that aims to influence another state’s domestic politics. Russia uses a variety of soft tactics, such as lobbying, media campaigns, and foreign aid, to reach its subversive goals and widen its sphere of influence. However, these tactics and their topical themes vary by the target audience. Russia’s targets themselves can be categorized into different levels of foreign policy interest. The Western Balkans and other former Warsaw Pact nations are not as much a target, nor are they as susceptible to subversion campaigns as former Soviet nations, such as Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. However, the Balkans do remain on the periphery of Russian interests and thus are targets of soft subversion tactics. Russian interest in the Balkans can be characterized as a product of Western interest in the region, which can be traced back to Russia’s goals for its foreign policy.
Recommended Citation
Dotson, Madeleine
(2023)
"Charecterizing Modern Russian Subversive Tactics in Bosnia and Herzegovina,"
Venture: The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 5, Article 4.
Available at:
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/umurjournal/vol5/iss1/4
