Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted fascism for decades, most recently harnessing the influence of social media aimed at young Russians, according to Ian Garner, a historian and expert in
Russian war propaganda. Garner’s Nov. 7 lecture and discussion titled “How Putin is Making Fascism Cool in Russia” was co-sponsored the Forum on Security and Democracy and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Program, and focused on his book Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth.
Ian Garner is historian and analyst of Russian culture and war propaganda, whose work has been featured in numerous publications and showcased in talks at universities, museums and conferences in North America, Europe and Russia. He has written and interviewed for The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe & Mail, BBC, CBC, CTV, ABC, YLE, Radio Canada, Mashable, Dainik Bhaskar, VICE News and Times Radio. Garner’s second book, Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia’s Fascist Youth, was released in summer 2023 and his first book, Stalingrad Lives: Stories of Combat & Survival, was released in 2022.