The “Deep State” Theory: From Russia’s Propaganda Playbook to Georgia’s Political Narrative

Introduction

One of the most important tools that Russia uses to achieve its foreign and domestic policy goals is information warfare. This instrument has been perfected by Russian intelligence services to sway opinions and mold political conduct both domestically and internationally. The reach and potency of Kremlin-sponsored propaganda and disinformation rise in tandem with the expansion of information availability worldwide.

The purposeful spread of conspiracy theories is a key element of Russia's information warfare, which aims to skew public opinion, threaten Western institutions, delegitimize democratic norms, and defend Moscow's aggressive and imperial foreign policy. Many other governments across the world that employ conspiracy theories to maintain or strengthen authoritarian control have since followed the techniques of the Russian playbook. 

One of the most popular conspiracy theories is the so-called "Deep State" theory, which has become especially popular in Georgia in the last two years and has been actively promoted by Georgian Dream, the state's ruling party. The term "Deep State" in the Russian context describes a purported shadow global governing structure that is believed to have an impact on international affairs, including US and EU decision-making. Russia uses this narrative to justify its own geopolitical goals, sow discord within pro-Western cultures, and undermine confidence in democratic governance both at home and in targeted states. Moscow portrays itself as a morally upright force battling the "Deep State," purportedly to save humanity from "evil" in the West.

The Story of the "Deep State" narrative and its historical evolution

Different interpretations of "shadow governance" have been around for ages, most of them created and spread by conspiracy theorists. The main argument has always been that governments are controlled by secret power structures that might be either part of or separate from the state, but in either case do not answer to the people. The premise that covert organizations control political institutions has been present throughout history in various forms, even if the term "Deep State" has just recently become widely used.

Stories about witches, heretics, and demonic entities provided primitive forms of this concept as early as medieval Europe. But in nineteenth-century Europe, one of the most lucid manifestations of the idea of "shadow government" appeared. Secret organizations like the Freemasons^[1] and the Illuminati^[2] were then charged with influencing governments covertly and planning global events.

Following the release of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion^[3], a fake anti-Semitic forgery that claimed a Jewish plot to control global governments, these charges grew more serious. Despite being amply refuted, these documents remain a source of inspiration for conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites, serving as a fundamental ideological underpinning for the current "Deep State" narrative.

The idea first surfaced in the Soviet Union, where the KGB was frequently regarded as a more powerful organization than the Communist Party. According to a number of historical narratives, the KGB regularly functioned beyond the purview of the government and pursued goals that weren't always in line with party interests.

Fears of global governance caused the notion of a covert worldwide governing system to resurface in the 1990s and early 2000s. Conspiracy theorists claimed that a "globalist elite" surreptitiously manipulated governments and took advantage of crises to impose authoritarian control. Right-wing populist movements in the US and Europe started to portray international organizations—the UN, EU, NATO, and WTO—as threats to national sovereignty, purportedly seeking to establish a "New World Order."

In Western discourse, the term "Deep State" became widely used during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Propagandists and media supported by the Kremlin spread allegations that the Trump administration was the target of a covert plot by a group of political elites, bureaucrats, and intelligence personnel. This narrative was widely spread by Russian misinformation, which used it as a psychological warfare tactic to erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

Conspiracy theorists and Kremlin propagandists claim that the "Deep State" is made up of transnational companies like BlackRock, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing, Rheinmetall, and persons like George Soros, Warren Buffett, King Charles III and the Rockefeller, Rothschild, Wallenberg, and Walton families.

One of the key components of anti-Western propaganda from the Kremlin and other authoritarian governments is still the “Deep State” narrative. It sows mistrust of democratic institutions by taking advantage of political anxieties, social traumas, and historical fears. In the end, it has developed into a hybrid warfare weapon designed to promote divisiveness, legitimize authoritarian rule, and undermine public trust in democracy. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend and dissect these narratives in order to reinforce transparency and democratic governance ideals.

Russian Hybrid Warfare and Conspiracy Theories

Russia's hybrid-warfare strategy has effectively incorporated conspiracy theories into its larger structure. In order to spread narratives that defend Moscow's geopolitical actions, this system combines state-controlled media, social network operations, troll factories, government-affiliated "experts," ideologues, and politicians with close ties to the Kremlin, both inside and outside of Russia.

Russian propagandists claim that the "Deep State" is a covert, powerful organization made up of financial managers, oil tycoons, military leaders, bureaucrats, and intelligence officials who purportedly exert covert control over democratic governments. According to Kremlin rhetoric, these globalists are associated with NATO, the European Union, and liberal democratic values. They are accused of undermining elected leaders, overthrowing dictators, inciting international conflicts, and acting against national interests—all in the name of furthering the goals of “globalist forces."

Russian propaganda seeks to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions by portraying Western coalitions as the puppets of these elites and portraying them as agents of a foreign, elitist system. Leading Russian propagandists like Vladimir Solovyov^[4] and Margarita Simonyan^[5] frequently use the “Deep State” concept in their broadcasts and in the remarks made by Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia. Alexander Dugin,^[6] frequently known as the mastermind philosopher of the Kremlin, is one of its main ideologues. TV Shows hosted by the notorious spy-turned-propagandist Anna Chapman^[7]—Тaйны мира с Анной Чапман (“Secrets of the World with Anna Chapman”)^[8] and Тайны Чапман (“Chapman’s Secrets”)—have created anti-Western conspiracy theories for years. She talks about everything from Freemasons and secret world rulers to alleged alien visits to Earth.

Russian propaganda frequently depicts NATO as an aggressive military alliance whose only goal is to incite conflict and fight war against Russia, and the European Union as a corrupt and failing multicultural experiment. These narratives aim to undermine transatlantic cohesion, erode popular support for Western alliances, and encourage the growth of far-right, nationalist, populist, Eurosceptic, and isolationist movements throughout Europe. Additionally, Kremlin propaganda regarding the "Deep State" is used to undermine international democratic movements. Russian officials say the “Deep State” is behind any demonstrations against autocratic regimes or elections that result in results that are not favorable to Moscow.

One striking instance was the exclusion of a pro-Russian candidate from the 2025 presidential election in Romania. Dmitry Medvedev's comment^[9] in Russian media quickly attributed the incident to the so-called “Deep State” and claimed it was proof of Western meddling and manipulation. In addition to Russia, some members of the Trump Administration, including Elon Musk, also spoke about the possible suppression of political opponents..^[10]

Digital Platforms as the Next Front in Combat

Russia's information warfare now heavily relies on social media platforms. Conspiracy theories are amplified across several platforms by bot networks, troll factories, and pro-Russian influencers or groups, which speeds up their dissemination. Meanwhile, disinformation is widely legitimized by foreign media outlets that support Russian ideology. They blur the distinction between fact and fiction by repeating untrue statements and offering pseudo-expert validation, which makes it harder for the general public to tell the difference between reliable information and propaganda.

The purpose of conspiracy theories is to arouse powerful emotions, such as fear, rage, or resentment, which encourage people to interact with or spread the information, even unintentionally. This psychological process normalizes erroneous tales in ordinary speech and greatly expands their impact.

Aligning conspiracy theories with popular phobias or annoyances and reducing intricate political or economic processes to simple, emotionally charged explanations is a particularly successful strategy. These strategies enhance polarization and social division in settings where there is a lack of public trust in institutions and the media.

“Deep State” narrative in Georgian context

Conspiracy theories, particularly those of the "Global War Party" and the "Deep State," have been widely promoted^[11]by Georgia's ruling party since 2024 as tools for fostering anti-Western sentiment. In the months leading up to the 2024 parliamentary elections, these storylines were particularly apparent.

Shortly after Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian Dream government started claiming that a "global war party" controlled Western nations and international organizations and was attempting to force Georgia into a military conflict with Russia and establish a "second front" alongside Ukraine. This "war-party" idea gradually changed into the more expansive "Deep State" framework, which was in line with “Deep State” narrative^[12] by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Georgian version^[13] portrays the “Deep State” as a transnational cabal that resembles the Masonic myth: a global alliance that controls a large portion of the world economy and exerts influence over democratic governments in the United States, Europe, and other countries. This is in contrast to its American counterpart, which focuses on hidden power networks within a particular nation.

Georgian Dream affiliated philosopher -  Zaza Shatirishvili, who frequently writes pieces^[14] cautioning of the “Deep State's” purportedly detrimental role and encouraging numerous conspiracy-theory clichés among the public, has been instrumental in the development of this Georgian perspective.

Including the Story of the "Deep State" in Georgian Dream’s political agenda

In line with the Kremlin's objective of undermining Western alliances and democratic institutions, Georgian Dream eventually completely incorporated the “Deep State” notion into its political agenda. The “Deep State” is depicted in Georgian internal discourse as an international power that aims to influence political choices through sanctions, foreign aid, or Western criticism of the Georgian Dream. Opposition parties, independent media, civil society organizations, and even famous persons with divergent views are branded as “Deep State” agents and charged with fomenting war or instability.

Additionally, the ruling party uses traditional and cultural themes taken from Kremlin propaganda to portray the “Deep State” as a hostile force that is allegedly determined to deprive Georgia of its sovereignty, legalize same-sex marriage^[15], and undermine the Orthodox Church. Georgian Dream, on the other hand, positions itself as the nation's savior, protecting "traditional values," preserving national sovereignty, and keeping Georgia out of a conflict^[16] with Russia caused by Western forces. By purposefully fabricating an imaginary external threat, the party is able to garner support, especially from the less educated or more susceptible groups of people, where emotional appeals work very well. Georgian Dream avoids accountability for internal shortcomings and increasing isolation by attributing foreign censure or sanctions to the “Deep State” and its "satellites." The public's trust in all democratic mediators is weakened when NGOs, the media, and opposition parties are branded as "foreign agents."

Mobilization of Populists and Strategic Ambiguity

With Georgian Dream positioning itself as the protector of "the people" and national identity, the idea that evil elites are plotting against common people encourages populist mobilization. The party's use of strategic ambiguity is also important; it aims to differentiate between "official Western governments" and the “Deep State”, allowing for dual discourse that verbally criticizes the West while claiming a readiness to work diplomatically. The government can manage foreign relations more freely because of this ambiguity, especially when juggling pressure from outside sources with local political demands.

In the end, Georgian Dream's embrace of the “Deep State” story situates it inside a larger geopolitical disinformation complex. The party's language closely resembles Russian propaganda tactics, despite its insistence that it has indigenous roots. The connection is not coincidental; by localizing the idea, Georgian Dream supports narratives that exacerbate anti-Western sentiment in Georgian society while also undermining popular confidence in democratic institutions and insulating itself from charges that it serves Kremlin goals..

Rejecting Conspiracy Theories and Increasing Democratic Sturdiness

As is common in less democratic or authoritarian regimes, it is true that in many political systems, certain groups close to the government have advantages or informal power. The notion that secret elite networks secretly control countries or global events, however, is unsupported by any reliable scientific or factual data, notwithstanding these realities. The constitutional frameworks of democratic regimes are based on robust institutions that forbid any outside or shadow authority from influencing political choices. The checks and balances mechanism in liberal democracies serves to guarantee that no one branch or group may monopolize power. It protects decision-making against outside influence in addition to preventing hegemony by one part of government.

Information is more readily available now than it has ever been. A fundamental component of democratic governance is transparency. It is unrealistic to think that a fictitious, worldwide "shadow government" could stay undetected in such a setting. Such concealment is made impossible by the existence of transparent government procedures, investigative journalism, free media, and whistleblowers. There has never been any solid proof of a worldwide "Deep State," leaks, or testimony from retired officials.

Political Accountability and Democratic Competition

The story of the “Deep State” also runs counter to the empirical facts of democratic competition. Elections in democratic systems result in a shift of power, and bureaucracies adjust to the new government's policy priorities. Core political decisions are ultimately made by elected individuals, not bureaucrats, and they can be removed through elections in nations commonly accused of being under “Deep State” control. If everything was actually under the direction of a "Deep State," how would individuals like Robert Fico, Friedrich Merz, or Donald Trump win the elections? What were the possible causes of Brexit? Or why would Germany's far-right “Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)^[17] see a rise in support? Conspiracy theorists' idea of a monolithic control is refuted by the sheer diversity of political outcomes found throughout the democratic globe.

Bureaucrats are often portrayed as “Deep State” members in Russian propaganda. However, bureaucracy is an essential part of any working government and is not a conspiracy in and of itself. Professionals hired to maintain institutional continuity and the uniform enforcement of rules and regulations are known as career civil servants. They are stewards of the legal system, not shadow rulers pursuing personal or ideological goals.

Therefore, it is pointless to refer to bureaucrats as the “Deep State”. Dismantling bureaucratic capability would cripple the state; their job is necessary for effective governance.

The "War or Peace" dilemma and the authoritarian use of fear

By portraying themselves as defenders against outside threats, authoritarian governments frequently utilize fear as a rallying cry. They portray themselves as defenders of peace and stability and assert that shadow elites are responsible for wars and crises. This trend is also evident in Georgia, where the Georgian Dream party frequently centers national discussions on the fictitious "war or peace" conundrum, implying that only the ruling party can avert disaster^[18]. The “Deep State” narrative is used by populist and authoritarian governments to demonize political opponents as "agents" of secret forces and to undermine independent institutions such as the media, security agencies, and judiciaries. This strategy undermines institutional balances on power and stifles dissent. Simply put, the “Deep State” idea undermines public trust in democracy by painting respectable democratic institutions as enemies. Paradoxically, the governments that advocate the “Deep State” idea the most are those that most closely resemble the phenomenon they criticize—those in which unelected networks or persons actually control political life.

Developing Resilience in Society

In the end, the “Deep State” narrative is a psychological tool intended to increase popular mistrust of authoritarian governance, promote misunderstanding, and bolster anti-Western sentiment. Political will and multisectoral coordination are needed to counter this menace. Media literacy must be improved, fact-based communication must be encouraged, and individuals' ability to distinguish between manipulated and verified information must be strengthened by civil society.

For their part, governments and democratic institutions should maintain transparency, improve strategic communication, and aggressively dispel myths. Societies cannot become resilient against propaganda and deception unless the public sector, independent media, and civic organizations work together consistently. In the absence of such steps, the ongoing spread of conspiracy theories will remain a significant national and worldwide security threat.

^[1] “Freemasonry,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, last updated September 24, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Freemasonry

^[2] “Who are the Illuminati?” The Week, last updated 17 September 2025, https://theweek.com/62399/what-is-the-illuminati-and-what-does-it-control

^[3] “An Antisemitic Conspiracy: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Holocaust Encyclopedia, last updated 2025, https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/protocols-of-the-elders-of-zion

^[4] “Faces of Kremlin Propaganda: Vladimir Solovyov,” U.S. Department of State — Disarming Disinformation, March 31, 2022, https://2021-2025.state.gov/disarming-disinformation/faces-of-kremlin-propaganda/vladimir-solovyov/

^[5] “Faces of Kremlin Propaganda: Margarita Simonyan,” U.S. Department of State — Disarming Disinformation, August 31, 2022, https://2021-2025.state.gov/disarming-disinformation/faces-of-kremlin-propaganda-margarita-simonyan/

^[6] John B. Dunlop, “Aleksandr Dugin’s Foundations of Geopolitics,” (Stanford University, Europe Center, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, January 13, 2004, https://tec.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/aleksandr-dugins-foundations-geopolitics

^[7]Brett Forrest, “The Big Russian Life of Anna Chapman, Ex-Spy,” Politico (New York City), January 4, 2012, https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2012/01/the-big-russian-life-of-anna-chapman-ex-spy-069297

^[8] “Тайны Чапман,” РЕН ТВ, accessed November 13, 2025, https://ren.tv/project/tainy-chapman

^[9] “Medvedev: ‘Deep-State’ Buried Democracy in Romania,” Breaking The News, March 10, 2025, https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Medvedev%3A-%27Deep-State%27-buried-democracy-in-Romania/63694515

^[10]Pro-Russia Călin Georgescu barred from Romanian presidential election re-run,” The Guardian, March 9 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/pro-russia-calin-georgescu-barred-from-romanian-presidential-election-re-run

^[11] Lia Chkhetiani, “Georgian Dream’s Conspirationist Brainwashing Works – Research,” Civil Ge, March 18, 2025, https://www.civil.ge/archives/669807

^[12] Irakli Machaidze, “Georgian Government’s ‘Deep State’ Bromance with Trump Remains Unrequited,” Eurasianet, May 19, 2025, https://eurasianet.org/georgian-governments-deep-state-bromance-with-trump-remains-unrequited

^[13] Liza Mchedlidze, “Georgian Dream MP Compares ‘Global War Party’ to Freemasons,” The Messenger, May 20, 2024, https://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/5653_may_20_2024/5653_liza1.html

^[14]“Georgian Dream propagandist turns on Trump and Vance, claims they are tools of the ‘deep state’,” OC Media, September 5, 2025, https://oc-media.org/georgian-dream-propagandist-turns-on-trump-and-vance-claims-they-are-tools-of-the-deep-state/

^[15] “They tell us that if we don’t repeal the law that prohibits gender change or same-sex marriage …” Rustavi 2, September 4, 2025, https://www.rustavi2.ge/en/news/323962

^[16] DFWatch Staff, “Tbilisi Mayor Accuses West of Pressuring Georgia to Open ‘Second Front’ in Ukraine War,” Democracy & Freedom Watch, August 27, 2025, https://dfwatch.net/tbilisi-mayor-accuses-west-of-pressuring-georgia-to-open-second-front-in-ukraine-war-63502/

^[17] “Alternative for Germany (AfD),” Encyclopedia Britannica, last updated March 17, 2025 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alternative-for-Germany

^[18] “Georgian Dream Revives Controversial War vs. Peace Campaign Theme,” Civil Georgia, August 13, 2025, https://civil.ge/archives/696891

Image Credit: Giorgi Abdaladze, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons