Influencers for Good Cause

 By definition, 'influencers' are individuals who have established credibility, authority, and a substantial following within a specific niche or industry. It seems reasonable, therefore, to utilize their influence for fostering valuable ideas. When these ideas are adopted by a large number of people, significant changes can occur. However, a question arises: Will individuals readily embrace ideas put forth by influencers?

My response is affirmative, although we must recognize that the primary impact of influencers is often observed in promoting consumerism, rather than in facilitating the spread of beneficial ideas. Considering the commonplace and superficial nature of influencers, it is my belief that, in numerous instances, relying on influencers to promote valuable ideas may even prove counterproductive.

The 'influencers' we are familiar with have emerged as products of the social media era. Social media platforms, with some reservations, offer an equal opportunity for anyone aspiring to embark on an influencer career. Consequently, the affable, pleasant, and compassionate influencers we are . . . read more

Ukraine War as Fought on Iran’s X

 

1. Introduction

The Ukrainian conflict, which ignited in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea and became a full-scale war when Russia invaded the Ukrainian main land in February 24, 2022 has evolved into a quagmire that is far more complex than a simple territorial dispute. What initially seemed like a regional issue has transmuted into a multi-faceted conflict with global implications (Nasir et al., 2022), not only in the realm of geopolitics, but more increasingly in form of conflict on social media. This transformation underscores how the paradigms of warfare are shifting in the 21st century, fusing conventional tactics with digital strategies to spawn a new breed of confrontation that will re-structure all the preexisting alignments, particularly in the regions which are geographically or politically close to the warzone.

The war has birthed rivalries that extend beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia, drawing in Western and other powers into a high-stakes battle for influence. On the surface, it appears to be a struggle between Russian ambitions and Ukrainian sovereignty, but the subtext reveals a complex interplay of regional hegemony, NATO expansionism, and geopolitical chess involving the United States, the European Union, Iran, Turkey, Israel and other global and regional players. Russia's actions in Ukraine have been read as a challenge to the post-Cold War world order and have led to heightened tensions between Moscow and the West (Price, 2022). Sanctions have been employed as a weapon, but they have also backfired by pushing Russia closer to other powers like Iran, thus creating new geopolitical equations.

Perhaps the most unexpected, yet inevitable, evolution in this conflict is its extension into cyberspace and the social media (Hauter, 2023). In the 21st century, information warfare can be as impactful as military operations (see for example Zohouri et al., 2020; Sabzali et al., 2022), Ukraine has become a testing ground for cyber tactics. Both state and non-state actors have been implicated in a series of cyber-attacks targeting infrastructure, financial systems, and public opinion. However, it is not just Russia and Ukraine who are involved in this war. Other countries, keen on either supporting Ukraine or currying favor with Russia, have also been dragged into this virtual battleground. The United States and its allies have been assisting Ukraine in bolstering its cyber defenses, while the Russian side has reportedly benefited from a rise in “patriotic hacking,” encouraged by a domestic environment that blurs the lines between criminal hacking and state-sponsored cyber operations (Smith & Dean, 2023).

Cyberspace offers a platform for information warfare and propaganda. Both sides in the conflict have mobilized social media, news outlets, and other information channels to shape global perceptions. Fake news and manipulated narratives muddy the waters, making it challenging for neutral observers to discern fact from fiction. Given the powerful impact Read more . . .