Groundbreaking Research on Strategic Narratives in Military Operations
Date: (30-04-2025)
The CMDR COE is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Autumn Iteration Internship Tour for Ekaterina Popova, whose eight-month journey culminated in an impressive and thought-provoking research presentation.
Throughout her tenure, Ms. Popova played a key role in supporting a broad range of educational initiatives—including courses, workshops, and major events—within the Education and Training Branch. Her dedication and insight were consistently evident, earning high regard from colleagues and mentors alike.
As the capstone of her internship, Ekaterina presented her final research paper, “The Role of Strategic Narratives in Shaping Public Opinion During Military Operations,” to the Centre’s team of experts. Her work delved into the powerful interplay between strategic communication, hybrid threats, and cognitive warfare, examining how carefully crafted narratives are used as tools of influence in modern conflict.
Her study explored:
- Strategic narratives as instruments of soft power and hybrid warfare
- The construction and psychological impact of narrative texts
- The roles of cognitive and information warfare
- Key dynamics within the FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference) framework
Popova also conducted in-depth analyses of NATO and Russia’s use of strategic narratives, providing comparative case studies and actionable recommendations to strengthen societal and institutional resilience against influence operations.
Her research was conducted under the expert supervision of LTC Svetozar Bosilkov, whose mentorship was instrumental in shaping the study’s depth and relevance.
Congratulations to Ekaterina Popova on a remarkable achievement and a valuable contribution to our mission.
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