Author: OctopusInstitute
Prof. Dr. Bejtush GashiFormer Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of KosovoFormer Dean of the Faculty of Security Studiesbejtushg2002@yahoo.com Abstract:The Vidovdan myth holds a central place in Serbian political mythology and has evolved into a strategic instrument in shaping Serbia’s foreign and security policy, particularly in relation to Kosovo. This study examines how the myth is employed to legitimize Serbia’s revisionist discourse, justify interference in Kosovo’s internal affairs, and construct a permanent threat doctrine. Relying on the constructivist approach in international relations and political discourse analysis, the article argues that Vidovdan functions as an ideological mechanism with significant impact…
Dr. Christian CostamagnaUniversity of Rijeka, Center for Advanced Studies Southeast Europe The myth of Vidovdan offers a compelling point of reflection, but it is important to recognize that this symbolic day within the construction of Serbian identity has been employed in highly diverse and often irreconcilable ways. Consider, for example, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on Vidovdan in 1914, Milošević’s Gazimestan speech on 28 June 1989, his extradition to The Hague Tribunal on the same date in 2001, and more recently, the anti-government protests held in Belgrade on 28 June 2025. From a historical perspective, it is…
Author: Dr. Iryna Synelnyk – Journalist and Researcher The hybrid war that Russia has waged against European countries involves various methods, but the main strategy is to divide societies, undermine trust in state institutions and democracy. Russia is flexible in choosing new approaches and tactics, as new technologies become tools for manipulating and influencing public opinion in different countries. One of them is popular social media such as Telegram. Serbia cooperates very closely with Russia on many issues, including imitating Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy especially against Kosovo. Therefore, it is important to analyse the leading pro-Russian and pro-Serbian Telegram channels…
Author: Dr. Iryna Synelnyk Abstract The shaping of public opinion through the spread of fake news, disinformation and manipulation is becoming a threatening trend today, especially during the elections. This paper focuses on issues of manipulation tools through social media as an attempt to provide political influence and achieve an advantage in election campaigns. This topic is covered in cases of the presidential campaign in Moldova and Romania 2024, where we have evidence of Russia’s election interference as part of a hybrid warfare which it has been gaining against the Western world. As a result, the scale of the spread…
Dr. Arben FetoshiDirector at Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “OCTOPUS”arben.fetoshi@octopusinstitute.orgProfessor at University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”arben.fetoshi@uni-pr.eduDr. Gurakuç KuçiSenior Researcher at Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “OCTOPUS” gurakuq.kuqi@octopusinstitute.orgProfessor at Universum Collegegurakuq.kuqi@universum-ks.org Recent geopolitical developments, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine and ongoing diplomatic efforts, have triggered discussions across various regions. A recent article published by the German newspaper Bild, titled “Europe in Fear! Intelligence Agencies Fear U.S. Troop Withdrawal,” has reignited pro-Russian hostile narratives, especially in the wake of negotiations initiated in Riyadh. Redistribution of Resources as a Deceptive Narrative Portraying the redeployment of U.S. military resources as a “withdrawal” is…
We were truly honored by today’s visit of the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Petrit Malaj, to the Institute for Studies of Hybrid Warfare “Octopus.” The meeting was both heartfelt and substantive, focusing on our shared challenges in an era of major geopolitical confrontations and hybrid threats that endanger peace and undermine democracy in our region. Ambassador Malaj, accompanied by Ms. Pranvera Teli, Minister Counsellor, highly appreciated the institute’s work and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening future cooperation. Expressing gratitude for the visit, the institute’s director, Arben Fetoshi, emphasized Albania’s crucial role in the region and the…
Policy paper Prof. Asoc. Dr. Arben FetoshiDirector at the Institute for Studies of Hybrid Warfare OCTOPUSarben.fetoshi@octopusinstitute.org Acknowledgments:I would like to sincerely thank all my colleagues for their unwavering support during the completion of this research, with special appreciation to Gurakuç Kuçi, Senior Researcher, and Lekë Beqa, Collaborator at the Institute, for their invaluable contributions. Abstract: Foreign interference in elections poses a serious threat to democracy and national security through disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, and covert financial operations. By examining manipulation methods and their destabilizing effects from cases of Russian interference in Moldova, Georgia, and Romania, this paper is able to draw…
The Full Address of the Ambassador of Finland to Kosovo, H.E. Mr. Matti Nissinen, at the Roundtable “Foreign Interference in Elections and Its Impact on National Security and Democracy”, organized by the Octopus Institute on January 28, 2025, in Prishtina. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Participants, It is a privilege to join you today and discuss critical issues of security, stability, and democracy in the Western Balkans. Finland’s own journey, shaped by its proximity to complex geopolitical dynamics and a history of resilience, provides valuable lessons for Kosovo as it navigates its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Finland’s Experience: A Blueprint for…
The Institute for the Study of Hybrid Warfare (OCTOPUS) held a roundtable discussion today in Prishtina on the topic: FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS AND ITS IMPACT ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEMOCRACY.The roundtable was attended by representatives of Western states, civil society activists, experts, and journalists from the country and the region. In his remarks on the topic, the Finnish Ambassador, Matti Nissinen, stated that Finland’s experience in countering threats from foreign interference is based on three components: preparation, inclusivity, and resilience.Meanwhile, Serbian journalist Radomir Dimić described Vučić’s regime as fascist and the Serbian List as a tool used to undermine…
The Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “OCTOPUS” is organizing a roundtable discussion tomorrow, January 28, 2025, at Hotel SIRIUS, on the topic: “Foreign Interference in Elections and Its Impact on National Security and Democracy”. This event will bring together local and international experts to discuss the critical issue of foreign influence in electoral processes and its implications for democratic stability and national security. Panelists for the roundtable include: Agenda for the roundtable: The goal of this roundtable is to raise awareness of the risks posed by foreign interference in electoral processes and to provide a platform for analyzing its potential…