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The term useful idiot, or poleznyi durak in Russian, refers to a person perceived as propagandizing for a cause—particularly a bad cause originating from a devious, ruthless source—without fully comprehending the cause’s goals, and who is cynically being used by the cause’s leaders. Examples in Algeria Bengrina Algerian Message at the Moroccan Border: The Message of Bengrina Similar Terms But Not the Same While “useful idiot” is a term with specific connotations, there are several related terms that, although similar, have distinct meanings and applications....

“Ben Sebgag Ali, a prominent legislative member of the ninth term, represents Illizi under “El Ahrar” and serves actively on the committee.”

“Kompromat” is a portmanteau of the Russian terms for “compromising” and “material”. The term “kompromat” is derived from the Russian language (компромат), an abbreviation of “compromising material” (компрометирующий материал, transliterated as komprometiruyushchy material). This tactic, deeply embedded in the fabric of political warfare, revolves around collecting, storing, trading, and deploying disparaging information about individuals. With roots tracing back to the Soviet Union era, kompromat has been meticulously refined over time, exerting influence across various domains: political, electoral, legal, professional, judicial, media, and business....