Insurgent-Influencer as (Un)likely Purveyor of Public Diplomacy Within Contemporary Social Media Environments: A Longitudinal Study of an American Fighter in Donbas, Eastern Ukraine

Traditional approaches to public diplomacy would not expect an American man who takes part in a foreign armed struggle to become an effective purveyor of public diplomacy messages, particularly on behalf of Russia. However, that is what Russell Bentley accomplished for nearly a decade on social media. Therefore, it is paramount to adopt an integrated approach to public diplomacy (IPD) that recognizes the complexities and fluidities of contemporary identities, media, and geopolitical landscapes. Through IPD, we outline how Bentley, precisely because he was an American, an insurgent, and a worker, was able to become an influencer who could relate to other Westerners and convey captivating stories to them.