DISINFO: The West controls Kazakhstan’s information space
SUMMARY
The US strategy for Central Asia envisages increasing American narratives in the region. Pouring funds into local media to shape an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese agenda was planned even before the start of the any special military operation. These efforts are likely to continue as long as the region remains important to be used a destabilising factor at the Southern borders of Russia and Western borders of China. In other words, this is a long-term strategy, and not only the United States but also the United Kingdom and Germany will continue allocating resources for this purpose.
RESPONSE
This claim is a mix of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives claiming that the West is waging a hybrid war against Russia. This narrative fits into the broader disinformation theme about the West’s allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia, and about its alleged plans to destabilise and encircle Russia.
As has been pointed out by analysts, the term “Russophobia” is a Kremlin propaganda tool that identifies ordinary criticism and discussion of Kremlin actions with alleged enemies of Russia and actors who are responsible for intolerance and persecution of ethnic Russians.
Pro-Kremlin propagandists often claim that Russophobia is the equivalent of anti-Semitism (while Putin and Russian leaders themselves are openly making statement with anti-semitism - see here and here.
The “fight against Russophobia” has been used to strengthen the internal control of the Russian authoritarian regime, to implement various foreign policy objectives, as well as to discredit NATO and EU enlargement in the eyes of the Russian public.
Read more about how pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets target George Soros. Similar cases claiming that West increases pressure on CIS countries to break old ties, that the West caused the Ukraine coup, Belarus colour revolution and that Ukrainian authorities constantly oppress and infringe Russian-speaking people.