In the aftermath of a major attack on Nord Stream, narrative control has been crucial to maintaining unity among NATO partners as well as support for Ukraine. The initial claim that Russia was behind the attack allowed for easy scapegoating, but this narrative quickly unraveled when leaked CIA documents revealed the US knew about a planned Ukrainian covert attack on the undersea network. The media then shifted focus to blaming rogue Ukrainian elements, with some even accusing President Zelensky of involvement.
To maintain unity, Western European politicians have largely avoided discussing the Nord Stream incident and instead focused on supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This has led to a tense atmosphere among NATO partners, as Germany’s energy-intensive industries collapse and its economy falters. The situation is further complicated by allegations that Poland sabotaged investigations into the attack, allowing a suspected Ukrainian diver to escape back to Ukraine.
Despite these revelations, narrative control remains crucial for maintaining unity among NATO partners and support for Ukraine. Western Europeans are likely to continue ignoring their own interests in favor of adhering to the simple and comfortable worldview of good versus evil, led by benign US leadership against the evil Russians.