(5th slide on the list shown)
(Very recent story that got wide coverage)
The story
for today has the below headline that ties into the topic of Russian “disinformation”
campaign with this short definition: “Disinformation is false information
spread deliberately to deceive.”
Crucial
EU Initiative that Outs Kremlin Lies Now Under Fire
Link
to that headline here from the Atlantic Council, and the Atlantic Council’s
homepage is here - FYI.
So, what is the purpose
of that headlines? To
get your attention of course. More importantly, to pass on the new “EU vs. Disinfo” website for research tool
about the EU efforts “to counter Russian disinformation.” Their purpose is explained
this way at their homepage:
The website is part of a campaign to better forecast,
address and respond to pro-Kremlin disinformation. The “EU versus
Disinformation” campaign is run by the European
External Action Service East Stratcom Task Force.
The team was set up after
the EU Heads of State and Government stressed the need to challenge Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaigns in
March 2015. Read more about the team here.
First, I ask
the readers today to put aside the Trump-Mueller-Russian “collusion”
investigation for the moment. The results of all that will be out when Mr.
Mueller is 100% finished. We have to wait and have patience to see that result.
Now, in the meantime two things are
critically important and obviously should be kept in mind: (1) Russia did interfere in the 2016
election, and (2) they are gearing up now for the 2018 midterm cycle and the
big show in the 2020 presidential race.
Trump and
his loyal base may dispute, deny, dodge, or duck that fact, but the truth will
always remain: Russia did interfere in 2016 and they are not done yet. Moving
from that, consider this overarching question: What is the goal of Russian
interference and their disinformation tactics. Well, to generate hype, cause
chaos, disruption, mistrust, disbelief, lack of vote confidence, and eliminate faith
in our government and democratic systems any way they can to reach their goal
through hundreds or more avenues of approach as explained below.
The Russian goal is stated
this way from here in simple terms: The Kremlin’s disinformation campaign should be taken
with the highest level of seriousness.
It is part
of Russian military doctrine and accepted by the top hierarchy of the most
important state-owned media, according
to a new analysis.
Their overriding aim, despite the diversity of their messages,
channels, tools, levels, ambitions and tactical aims, and notwithstanding their
rapidly adapting nature and tools, their strategic objective is one and the
same –
To weaken
the West and strengthen the Kremlin in a classic zero-sum game approach.
However, along way keep these points in
mind:
·
Disinformation has different
messages for different audiences. There are different messages for Russians and for
non-Russians; and for non-Russians in different parts of the world.
·
The disinformation campaign
uses different channels for different audiences. In Central and Eastern Europe,
disinformation is mostly spread through dozens of dedicated outlets in local languages.
·
The disinformation campaign has an
unknown number of channels and speakers, some of which are operating in a non-public environment,
like closed events, direct messaging platforms and through people-to-people
contacts.
·
The disinformation campaign has different
tactical aims and objectives for different audiences. It can present conspiracy theories
to the audience that is ready to consume such conspiracies.
·
The disinformation campaign has different
perspectives. It can
try to exploit existing divisions, or create new, artificial ones: on the more
strategic level, like between the EU and NATO or the EU and the US; or at a
national level, like between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, or two countries
with historical issues.
·
The disinformation campaign has different
levels of ambition.
The objective in 2014 was to help Russia achieve its military goals in Crimea.
European elections and referenda were targeted in 2016 and 2017 in order to
weaken consensus within Europe on the policy towards Russia. But it is not
only about targeting elections or referenda.
My 2 cents: For those who doubt this – and believe
me there are millions of Trump loyalists in the “doubting Thomas” category,
just look around, listen and watch TV and radio talk shows, read blogs, examine
on-line forums, chat rooms, and then you will see and hear and read.
I mean the level of distrust, meanness, anger, and raw
division we face the like I’ve never seen before at this level except maybe approaching
that level during the Vietnam war college protest years, or during the Pentagon
Papers era, and along with the aftermath of Watergate. But, even with all that,
today I believe what we see and hear is far more serious.
Finally, I know that this post is rather long with
many links therein, but I also think it’s very important to keep people
informed and in tune with what is going on around us for a very long time but
more so since the disaster of the 2016 election.
Some will not have time to analyze this post in one
session, I know that, but now it’s out there for them to follow up and refresh
as time moves along. I will update as necessary, too.
I hope you take all this as seriously as I do – I am
sure many do – and that is my sole purpose: To inform with facts and the truth
above all else as much as possible.
Key for this cycle: Are we ready or not to stop, dispute, or avoid them?
Thanks
for stopping by.
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