Show Notes

Main Topics Addressed

The role of Western think tanks in shaping foreign policy and public discourse
The revolving door between think tanks, media, and government
USAID and its impact on global political movements
Media manipulation and the role of NGOs in “velvet revolutions”
Censorship and the information war on social media
Reforming the think tank industry and ensuring transparency

Key Questions Discussed

What motivated Glenn Diesen to write The Think Tank Racket?
How do think tanks influence policy-making and public opinion?
Who funds think tanks, and what are their objectives?
How do government-supported NGOs shape media narratives?
What role did USAID play in the Euromaidan and other regime changes?
How do think tanks use social media giants to manage disinformation?
What reforms are needed to address the think tank industry’s influence?
How can small countries like Armenia resist external influence?

Referenced Articles & Sources

Wrap-up

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Glenn Diesen

Dr. Glenn Diesen a professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, and associate editor at Russia in Global Affairs, and editor of Political economy, Russian foreign policy and Eurasian integration.

Glenn Diesen has authored several influential books that explore the geopolitical shifts in the modern world, with a particular focus on Russia’s role in the emerging global order. His works include “The Think Tank Racket: Managing the Information War with Russia”, which critiques Western think tanks and their influence on public perception and policy. “In Europe as the Western Peninsula of Greater Eurasia”, he examines the strategic implications of Eurasian integration and Europe’s changing role in the global power structure. “Russian Conservatism: Managing Change under Permanent Revolution” delves into the ideological foundations of Russian conservatism and its impact on domestic and foreign policy. Diesen’s books collectively provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between economics, ideology, and geopolitics, offering fresh perspectives on the reconfiguration of global power and the West’s engagement with Russia

Hovik Manucharyan

Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.

Glenn Diesen - The Think Tank Racket: Managing the Information War With Russia | Ep 415, Feb 17, 2025 [EP415]

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