Andis Kudors – författare

This book explores Russia’s relations with Latvia, arguing that Latvia, with a higher proportion of Russian speakers than other Baltic states, is especially vulnerable to Russia’s “sharp power”. The book highlights how authoritarian and totalitarian regimes are unable to exercise soft power based on the attractiveness of the country''s culture and values, which would help them gain the favour of the audience of the target countries, but instead, as in the case of Russia, use public diplomacy, compatriot policy, media policy, propaganda, and disinformation to produce a destructive effect, distorting the democracies of target countries and increasing national security risks. The book provides in-depth detail on how Russia is making use of this “sharp power” in Latvia, examines the consequences and assesses the dangers for the future.

This book explores Russia’s relations with Latvia, arguing that Latvia, with a higher proportion of Russian speakers than other Baltic states, is especially vulnerable to Russia’s “sharp power”. The book highlights how authoritarian and totalitarian regimes are unable to exercise soft power based on the attractiveness of the country''s culture and values, which would help them gain the favour of the audience of the target countries, but instead, as in the case of Russia, use public diplomacy, compatriot policy, media policy, propaganda, and disinformation to produce a destructive effect, distorting the democracies of target countries and increasing national security risks. The book provides in-depth detail on how Russia is making use of this “sharp power” in Latvia, examines the consequences and assesses the dangers for the future.

This book reveals how the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has systematically transformed religious messaging into a strategic tool of warfare, supporting Russian military objectives while undermining Ukrainian resistance.

It introduces an innovative interdisciplinary framework merging faith diplomacy with wartime public diplomacy theory, enhanced by framing analysis. This pioneering approach offers scholars a powerful new lens for examining religious communication during armed conflicts worldwide and provides rare insights into grassroots clerical collaboration with Russian forces. Drawing from extensive analysis across eight Ukrainian dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate, the author documents how local priests and monks actively supported Russian militant operations through carefully crafted theological messaging.

It will be essential reading for scholars of religious studies, war studies, international relations, and anyone examining the intersection of faith and geopolitical conflict.

This book reveals how the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has systematically transformed religious messaging into a strategic tool of warfare, supporting Russian military objectives while undermining Ukrainian resistance.

It introduces an innovative interdisciplinary framework merging faith diplomacy with wartime public diplomacy theory, enhanced by framing analysis. This pioneering approach offers scholars a powerful new lens for examining religious communication during armed conflicts worldwide and provides rare insights into grassroots clerical collaboration with Russian forces. Drawing from extensive analysis across eight Ukrainian dioceses of the Moscow Patriarchate, the author documents how local priests and monks actively supported Russian militant operations through carefully crafted theological messaging.

It will be essential reading for scholars of religious studies, war studies, international relations, and anyone examining the intersection of faith and geopolitical conflict.