Disinformation as a danger to international security: An exploration of the implications in the Italian context

Abstract

Abstract Before the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia dedicated substantial resources to build a complex ecosystem of disinformation aimed at justifying the invasion of Ukraine as a legitimate and necessary decision. This disinformation manifested through an integrated approach involving various influence operations, including the corruption of agents and state officials, the use of financial projects such as RT and Sputnik, and the management of profit-driven economic operations through state-owned companies. The main objective of these operations was to influence public opinion in the involved countries, impact political processes, especially in democracies, and undermine the development of evidence-based policies, posing significant risks to international security and stability. The objective of this article is to examine the effects of disinformation in Italy with reference to its impact on public opinion. The research question focuses on the relationship between the different themes that constitute the complexity of disinformation about the war in Ukraine and the effect they have. The hypothesis to be tested is that fake news has a direct impact on the formation of public opinion, influencing the public discourse itself. For the purpose of the research, the frequency of recurring themes and their relational structure will be evaluated to determine if there are coherent disinformation narratives among them. Furthermore, key meta-narratives present in Italy will be highlighted, aiming to fuel a coherent system of beliefs. The expected results support the thesis that disinformation and fake news represent significant geopolitical tools in the struggle for power and status in the international community, through the projection of strategic narratives. Ultimately, this phenomenon highlights the centrality of disinformation in the management of international relations and its ability to influence global public discourse.