Manufacturing Memory: Historical Revelation as State Threat 

History can be a powerful tool of state influence. This briefing by Mr Matthew Redhead, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) examines how states manipulate historical material, narratives and reputations to support information and influence operations. It explores methods including selective archival releases, documentary redactions, forgeries, historical fiction and film, alongside the emerging use of generative AI and deepfakes. The research considers how these activities can shape perceptions and undermine the resilience of target societies, providing policymakers, practitioners and researchers with a framework for understanding historical manipulation as a form of state threat.