RT Article
T1 The asymmetric approach in Russian security strategy: implications for the Nordic countries
JF Terrorism and political violence
VO 31
IS 1
SP 154
OP 167
A1 Pynnöniemi, Katri
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1870442342
AB Two observations stand out from the Russian strategic outlook. First, it corresponds with the real politik vision of world politics where the states engage in (zero-sum) competition for power and resources. Second, the new world order emerges because of a conflict between different models of development and value systems. These two observations highlight a certain “family resemblance” between the current Russian assessment of the current security environment and the situation during the Cold War. Furthermore, Russian national security strategy is oriented toward achieving strategic stability with the other great powers. The maintenance of strategic parity (nuclear and conventional deterrence) is a means to this end. However, given Russia’s relative weakness in comparison to its major geopolitical competitors, this has led to the renewal of the Cold War-era concept of asymmetric approach. Although this concept is most often used in the context of nuclear deterrence and the debate on “strategic stability,” it is not about military security only. The set of asymmetric measures from economic dependence or sanctions, to diplomatic, political, and informational measures are used to prevent an emergence of a conflict that would threaten Russia’s sovereignty and domestic stability. The purpose of this paper is to explore the Soviet roots of Active Measures and how the Soviet heritage is present at both the theoretical level and in concrete practices. Finally, insights from the conceptual analysis are applied in assessing the vulnerability of the Nordic countries, in particular Finland and Sweden, to Russian influence operations.
NO Gesehen am 16.11.2023
NO Published online: 26 Feb 2019
K1 Russian information influence
K1 Cold War
K1 Active Measures
K1 Soviet propaganda
K1 reflexive control
K1 Sweden
K1 Finland
DO 10.1080/09546553.2018.1555995