Putin's Psychological Warfare in Ukraine and Syria: A Critical Review of the Edward Lucas's Book "The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West"

Abstract

In the book "The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West" written by Edward Lucas, the author argues that Vladimir Putin has won the psychological warfare against the United States and its allies in Ukraine and Syria. Lucas presents a detailed analysis of Putin's tactics and the ways in which he has used propaganda and disinformation to manipulate the public opinion of Western nations and undermine their confidence in their own governments.

The author highlights the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, noting that Putin has effectively used his control over Russian media to spread a narrative that portrays Russia as a victim and the United States as an aggressor. Lucas also examines the ways in which Russia has used its military interventions in these countries to assert its dominance and position itself as a global superpower.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the United States and its allies in responding to Putin's tactics, Lucas argues that it is essential to recognize the psychological nature of the conflict and to develop a comprehensive strategy for countering Russian propaganda and disinformation. The book serves as a wake-up call for Western nations and a call to action for policymakers and citizens alike, urging them to take a more proactive approach to the new Cold War with Putin's Russia.

This study critically looks at whether Edward Lucas justifies the character of Vladimir Putin within the context of his hegemonic role against psychological warfare initiated by the United States and its allies in Syria and Ukraine. Similarly, this study also investigates which US authors endorse what has been portrayed by Edward Lucas in favor of Putin’s political psychology and his psychological warfare strategies.