VIRAL OPPORTUNISM: “Authoritarian regimes can use the COVID-19 crisis to improve their international standing—taking advantage of others’ distraction. Their aims are different but their methods have much in common.”-@KeirGiles @ChathamHouse chathamhouse.org/expert/comment…
1/ “Both Russia and China have mounted combined charm offensives and disinformation campaigns on the back of the pandemic.”-@KeirGiles
2/ “Shipments of ‘aid’ – reportedly of questionable utility and quality - have gone hand in hand with a concerted effort to deflect any blame from China for the early spread, and an ongoing drive by Russia to undermine states’ confidence and have sanctions lifted.”-@KeirGiles
3/ “Russia seeks to subvert international order while China is continuing its bid to demonstrate global leadership - but in both cases, they are seeking long-term gains by exploiting the inattention and distraction of their targets.”-@KeirGiles
4/ “The perceived lack of reliable information about the virus provides fertile ground for disinformation campaigns, especially feeding on fear, uncertainty and doubt. But Russia..would not be succeeding..without mis-steps and inattention by Western governments.”-@KeirGiles
5/ “Confused reporting on Russia sending medical supplies to U.S. showed Moscow taking advantage of a US administration in apparent disarray. Claims Russia was sending ’humanitarian aid’ were only belatedly countered by US State Dept pointing out it had been paid for.”-@KeirGiles
6/ “Beijing’s external information campaigns have sought to deflect or defuse criticism of its early mishandling and misinformation on coronavirus and counter accusations of secrecy and falsifying data while also pursuing an opportunity to exercise soft power.”-@KeirGiles
7/ “For Moscow, current efforts boost a long-standing and intensive campaign to induce the lifting of sanctions, demonstrating..that sanctions are indeed an effective measure. Official and unofficial lobbying has intensified..and will inevitably find supporters.”-@KeirGiles
8/ “Russian photographs of cardboard boxes stacked loose..in a transport aircraft bound for U.S. sparked alarm and disbelief among military and aviation experts—and there has still been no U.S. statement on what exactly was purchased and whether it was for for purpose.”@KeirGiles
9/ “Reporting from Italy that the Russian equipment delivered there was ‘80% useless’ has not been contradicted by the Italian authorities. In fact—Trump aside—no government has publicly endorsed materials and assistance received from Russia as actually being useful.”-@KeirGiles
10/ “Russia continues to be capable of spectacularly misjudging its targets. When investigative journalists looked (at) the assistance to Italy, Russia’s official response was rage and personal threats—immediately alienating those whom Moscow had sought to win over.”-@KeirGiles
11/ “The most effective disinformation plays on deeply emotional issues and triggers visceral rather than rational reactions.”-@KeirGiles
12/ “Advocates of ’informational distancing’ as well as social distancing suggest a tactical pause to assess information calmly, instead of reacting or spreading it further unthinkingly.”-@KeirGiles
13/ “This approach would bolster calm dispassionate assessment of the real impact of Russian and Chinese actions, and counter spreading of misinformation on the pandemic—especially when sources of disinformation are leaders seeking to politicize or profit from crisis.”-@KeirGiles
14/ “Limitations of Russian and Chinese altruism must be stated clearly and frankly to fill gaps in public understanding: if it is the case that assistance received from Moscow or Beijing is not appropriate, not fit for purpose, this should be acknowledged publicly.”-@KeirGiles
15/ “Despite the enormity of the present emergency it is not a time for any government to relax its vigilance over longer-term threats. States must not lose sight of manoeuvres seeking to exploit weakness and distraction.”-@KeirGiles
16/ “If Russia and China emerge from the current crisis with enhanced authority and unjustifiably restored reputations, this will make it still harder to resist their respective challenges to the current rules-based international order in the future.”-@KeirGiles
