Disinfo: The protests in Hong Kong are US-funded

Summary

A growing backlash has begun across Hong Kong against US-funded protests that have attempted to disrupt governance and commerce as part of a floundering movement to maintain Western influence in the region.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory presented without evidence. Pro-Kremlin media have long used the narrative about anti-government protests being funded by the US. Examples include colour revolutions in post-Soviet states, the “Arab Spring” revolts, and Ukraine's Euromaidan in 2014. Western non-governmental organisations are often targeted by pro-Kremlin disinformation as agents of this subversive and state-driven influence. The Hong Kong protests began in June 2019 because of a controversial extradition law that would allow for the transfer of suspects to face trial on the Chinese mainland. For similar cases, see here.

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journal-neo.org (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 166
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Hong Kong, US
  • Keywords: Protest, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: Western propaganda masters control mass demonstrations

Under the guise of a concrete pressing issue (a factual problem, often a social one, concerning violations of rights of certain individuals or segments of a community), chosen by Western propaganda masters waging the information war, a targeted message containing half-truths is sent via messengers with the expectation that it will cause a strong reaction from individuals, which can then be transformed into mass demonstrations and “social unrest” (as is the case, for example, in Hong Kong on orders from Western elites).

Sep 26, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory presented without evidence. Pro-Kremlin media have long used the narrative about anti-government protests being funded by the US. Examples include colour revolutions in post-Soviet states, the “Arab Spring” revolts, and Ukraine's Euromaidan in 2014. Western non-governmental organisations are often targeted by pro-Kremlin disinformation as agents of this subversive and state-driven influence. For similar cases, see here.

Disinfo: The US benefits from the attack on the Saudi oil facility

Regardless who was behind the recent attack on the Saudi oil infrastructure, the key question is “who would benefit from this new round of escalation?” Relatively high oil prices would contribute to the economic policy pursued by the Trump administration. At the same time, the industry of large oil consumers, like China and Germany, would bear additional costs because of the growth of energy prices. Therefore, the Trump administration would get additional odds in its economic war with China and protectionist policy against the EU industrial states. This ‘controlled escalation’ would allow Washington to consolidate existing and gain additional levers of pressure on global energy prices, including the influence on Saudi Arabia, and, therefore, manipulate the global energy market in own interests. A similar motivation stands behind the US geopolitical activity towards Venezuela.

Sep 26, 2019
Disproof

No evidence is provided to support the claim. A claim, consistent with pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US supporting terrorism. You can see other examples of this narrative here, here, here and here.

Disinfo: The EU ignores Russia's efforts to reconcile an equal dialogue

The European Union is an unreliable partner which ignores all Russia’s efforts to reconcile an equal dialogue. The EU is an unreliable partner because it continues to play geopolitics with Russia or against Russia. All Russian efforts to reconcile an equal dialogue and to renounce the ‘friend-enemy’ logic in the common space have been fruitless.

Sep 26, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Western belligerence towards Russia and the EU attempting to isolate Russia. While aware of pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns, the EU is trying to keep open channels of communications with Russia. Russia is the EU's largest neighbour, which has always been reflected in extensive cooperation and exchange over the 25 years. Russia is a key player in the UN Security Council and, due to history, geographic proximity, and cultural links, is one of the key players in Europe and its neighbourhood. The current legal basis for EU-Russia relations is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which came into force in 1997, initially for 10 years. Since 2007 it has been renewed annually. It established a political framework for regular consultation between the EU and Russia, based on the principles of respect for democracy and human rights, political and economic freedom, and commitment to international peace and security. Since 2014, illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine have seriously affected the bilateral political dialogue. As a result, some of the policy dialogues and mechanisms of cooperation are temporarily frozen, and sanctions directed at promoting a change in Russia's actions in Ukraine have been adopted. However, Russia remains a natural partner for the EU and a strategic player combating the regional and global challenges. Moreover, the EU and its member states have maintained a clear policy of reaching out to Russian society and youth, mainly through the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and other people to people contacts, in line with five guiding principles of relations with Russia.