The Kremlin is once again intensifying its reflexive control campaign aimed at Western decision-making, using nuclear threats and diplomatic manipulation. This was written in its analysis of the development of the war in Ukraine by the American non-governmental organization Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the middle of last year. Reflexive control is a key element of Russia's hybrid warfare toolkit - it is a tactic that relies on shaping the image of the enemy with targeted rhetoric and information operations in such a way that it voluntarily takes actions that are beneficial to Russia, the analysis says.
During its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia often used the waving of nuclear threats to force the West (which has defined itself as Russia's adversary) to stop providing military support to Ukraine, and this "nuclear saber-waving" has become a frequently used form of Russian reflexive control, notes ISW.
The Zelensky, Trump, De Vance meeting in the White House
Didn't the Zelensky, Trump, De Vance meeting in the White House develop according to well-played scenarios on the part of the Americans. Two against one. “The good“ and the “bad“ cop. Trump, as the first host, was somehow quiet, waiting, restrained and diplomatic. At the same time, De Vance was definitely in the role of the “bad“ cop – aggressive, bold, arrogantly straightforward and direct. Zelensky probably did not expect this, but by not signing the natural resources agreement, he declared a strong position. At that moment, because then we see that Ukraine is ready to sign the agreement the moment the US says “yes“.
And in this line of thought, the question arises whether Trump and De Vance did not enter the conversation with the clear consciousness of ending up in a failure of the meeting with the Ukrainian president.
What is reflexive control
The theory of reflexive control was created by the Russian scientist Vladimir Lefebvre in the 50-70s. It comes in response to Western developments in the field of game theory.
What is it
Reflexive control is:
- a set of methods of management, influence and manipulation;
- a theoretical model;
- a process in which one competitor (opponent) transmits specially prepared information to another and/or imposes a certain decision in order to influence the counterparty and force him to take actions that are disadvantageous to him.
Reflexive control is an informational impact on both individuals and groups of people - individual layers (social strata) or society (nation) as a whole. By resorting to information prepared for the purpose, the enemy is prompted to make decisions that were previously determined by the one who initiated the transmission of information and which are advantageous to him. Reflexive control methods include blackmail, concealment, deception, and disinformation and are aimed at influencing the decision-making cycle of the enemy in the direction that the sender of information arranges.
Reflexive control has four forms:
- manipulation through influence (direct influence);
- manipulation through changing relationships (between individuals in a group);
- manipulation of the order of importance;
- influence on the unconscious sphere of the subjects.
Which of these things did we not see during the meeting? Zelensky was suggested that it would be good to wear a suit, although he has been dressing in the same way since the beginning of the war, with the reason that it is not appropriate to wear a suit during war, that his compatriots at the front do not wear suits. Change of attitude - from friendly, in an instant it turns into hostile. A repositioning of priorities followed - they supposedly talk about peace in Ukraine, but a deal is being prepared for Ukraine's natural resources. And security guarantees, which is Zelensky's priority - none from the US, with the ball being passed onto Europe's shoulders. Simply put - divide and rule. After Zelensky left, but without signing the deal, what followed... Suspension of military aid to Ukraine. What was Zelensky's response? Days later, Ukraine announced that it was ready to sign the deal, waiting only for the US to say when and where.
Is the task, from an American perspective, accomplished?