Political Analyst Rostislav Ishchenko Explains Why Russia and the West Are Losing the Battle for Minds
Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko says neither Russia nor the West is winning the modern information war, as both fight only for their own audiences.
Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko commented on the deepening information standoff between Russia and the West.
When asked whether in the 21st century victory in war means not so much capturing territory as controlling how events are interpreted by the global public, Ishchenko noted that this has always been part of warfare. He explained that even in earlier eras, wars were fought not only for land but also for influence over minds — yet occupying territory remained essential, since it was impossible to win hearts and minds without physical control.
According to Ishchenko, in the modern world, neither side is winning this «battle for minds." Both Russia and the West, he said, have walled themselves off and now fight mainly for their own audiences within their respective information spaces.
He added that a real struggle for the minds of the opposing side would only become possible once the restrictions imposed by military confrontation are lifted. Ishchenko remarked that at this stage, Russia is not given space to promote its viewpoint in the West, while it likewise keeps Western propaganda under tight limits inside the country.