<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The potential weaponization of Slavdom is a poorly researched topic in the literature on hybrid warfare, despite the Slavic dimension of NATO after several rounds of enlargement. Part of the reason is the traditionally reserved attitude of Russian authorities to the Slavic idea, which runs counter to the idealized supranational character of Russia and can incite domestic ethnic populism. Even though Moscow has not used this instrument so far, the historical record shows that it could do so at a later stage if its very existence is at stake. The instrumentalization of Slavic identity therefore requires attention, not only as an impending threat, but also as a potential catalyst for change on the Russian side.</p>
</abstract>

The potential weaponization of Slavdom is a poorly researched topic in the literature on hybrid warfare, despite the Slavic dimension of NATO after several rounds of enlargement. Part of the reason is the traditionally reserved attitude of Russian authorities to the Slavic idea, which runs counter to the idealized supranational character of Russia and can incite domestic ethnic populism. Even though Moscow has not used this instrument so far, the historical record shows that it could do so at a later stage if its very existence is at stake. The instrumentalization of Slavic identity therefore requires attention, not only as an impending threat, but also as a potential catalyst for change on the Russian side.

Putin’s Dilemma: Russia and the Slavic Dimension of NATO Enlargement

CONTEMPORARY MILITARY CHALLENGES

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Putin\u2019s Dilemma: Russia and the Slavic Dimension of NATO Enlargement"}

The potential weaponization of Slavdom is a poorly researched topic in the literature on hybrid warfare, despite the Slavic dimension of NATO after several...

Putin’s Dilemma: Russia and the Slavic Dimension of NATO Enlargement

Published Online: Apr 02, 2024

Page range: 14 - 31

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cmc-2024-0003

Keywords
Hybrid warfare, Slavdom, NATO, enlargement, Russia

© 2024 Andrej Benedejčič, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Putin’s Dilemma: Russia and the Slavic Dimension of NATO Enlargement

Published Online: Apr 02, 2024

Page range: 14 - 31

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cmc-2024-0003

KeywordsHybrid warfare, Slavdom, NATO, enlargement, Russia

© 2024 Andrej Benedejčič, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Hybrid warfare, Slavdom, NATO, enlargement, Russia