In a recent interview, US Special Envoy and Coordinator of the US Department of State’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), James Rubin, discussed the issue of disinformation as a tool of war used by Russia. He pointed out that Russia has been spreading misinformation about the war in Ukraine and the food crisis, attempting to mislead the world and portray themselves as the “good guys.”
Rubin highlighted Russia’s claim that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which facilitated the export of 32 million tons of grain and food, will be ended by them. He accused Russia of making food a weapon in the war and deliberately attacking ports and facilities where grain and food could be exported. This move, according to Rubin, is harming the most vulnerable populations, including those in Africa, Asia, the Sahel, and Yemen, as it leads to food price increases and reduced availability.
He emphasized that disinformation and information manipulation are national security threats, and Africa provides clear examples of this. The Wagner Group, a brutal private military that Russia uses, spreads lies in West Africa to justify its presence in the region. Russia’s use of disinformation can create misunderstandings and falsely shift blame onto other countries for its own policies and actions.
Rubin’s statements highlight the importance of countering disinformation and information manipulation as a means to protect national security interests and promote truth and transparency in international affairs.
