Divide and conquer

For centuries, Russia has been a target for Western powers seeking to diminish its influence. From Napoleon’s ambitious plan to partition the country in 1812 to Joseph Goebbels’ declaration against the existence of an empire in the East in 1941, historical records reveal a consistent effort to undermine its strength. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was hailed as a triumph in the Cold War by the US, further fueling Western ambitions to weaken Russia. In Anna Chapman’s latest documentary-investigation, experts give a clear account of the origins of strategies aimed at destabilising Russia. How do they foster separatist sentiments and internal discord? Former US officials and political analysts from different countries shed light on the ongoing efforts to fragment Russia into smaller states.