INTS 80.03 Russian Influence in Europe

This course will explore Russian aggression and influence activities in Europe and how they impact U.S. interests. Given the significant impact of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and recent Russian influence campaigns throughout the West, this course is particularly relevant for students hoping to understand: 1) past and present Russian goals within Western democracies; 2) the political, economic, and security implications of these Russian activities; and 3) how present challenges in confronting Russian malign influence intersect with global trends in political warfare and disinformation.

The course begins with a brief historical overview of European-Russian relations post-World War II, and how European and Russian threat perceptions evolved both before and after the fall of the Soviet Union. It then explores the range of ways Russia has attempted to influence Europe over the past several decades and why, with particular attention placed on activities since the fall of the Soviet Union and the modern use of territorial aggression and disinformation to further Russian interests. 

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or SOC

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Department-Specific Course Categories

The John Sloan Dickey Center For International Understanding