Disinfo: NATO exercises are part of "anaconda ring" strategy to encircle Russia

Summary

There has been a sharp increase in the number and intensity of NATO exercises around Russia’s borders. These exercises are not separate from one another, but together comprise an encirclement strategy known as the “anaconda ring.”

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Western attempts to encircle Russia. NATO is not a threat to Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect the member states. NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – nor any other country. However, in March 2014, in response to Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, NATO suspended practical cooperation with Russia. NATO does not seek confrontation, but it cannot ignore Russia breaking international rules, undermining stability and security. See more for NATO's response to the crisis in Ukraine and security concerns in Central and Eastern Europe here. "Anaconda ring" is not an accepted concept in military strategy. It originates with Nazi-era academic Karl Haushofer who hailed the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as a "heavy blow against the 'anaconda policy of the western Jewish plutocracy'" (p. 12). The term likely entered Russian analytical jargon via commentator Aleksandr Dugin, whose writings are heavily influenced by Haushofer's ideas. Dugin's most influential work makes numerous references to the "anaconda ring," which he calls "the traditional Atlanticist [i.e. Western] plan for 'strangling' the continental portions of the [Russian] mainland" (p. 137), which is aimed at "restraining its geopolitical expansion" (p. 444). See here for other examples of cases about the ''anaconda ring''.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 164
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 12/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: West, Military, Military exercise, Encircling Russia, EU/NATO enlargement, NATO
see more

Disinfo: International terrorism is the result of a liberal world order

International terrorism is the result of a liberal world order.

Disproof

No evidence given. This message is a wide-spread conspiracy theory that the United States established many terrorist organizations and that it has full control over global terrorism. When, in 1988, Al-Qaeda emerged as a network made up of Islamic extremist, Salafist jihadists, it has been immediately designated as a terrorist group by the UN, the EU, the US, Russia and other countries. See similar cases here and here.

Disinfo: Russophobia is an integral part of the UK foreign policy

Throughout the history of modern Europe, the United Kingdom used the doctrine of Russophobia as an integral part of its foreign policy.

Disproof

No evidence provided. Russophobia is often used in pro-Kremlin disinformation as an explanation for anyone blaming Russia for anything. For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings. Read a chronology of key events in UK-Russia relations.

Disinfo: 9/11: The WTC7 building was blown up professionally

9/11: The WTC7 building was blown up professionally.

The study (…) does not focus on the collapse of the 400-metre-high twin towers WTC1 and WTC2, but on the case of the much lower WTC7, which was not rammed by an aircraft. Nevertheless, the 186-metre-high tower collapsed in just seven seconds. (…) The WTC7 building was most likely blown up professionally.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy theory, no evidence was presented. It relays a recurring narrative that suggests the US government's involvement in the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 conspiracy theories have been refuted several times including by the “9-11 Commission" conducted by the US legislators. The study quoted by Sputnik does not claim that 'the WTC7 building was blown up professionally'. See other examples of this narrative here, here and here.