Posted on 12/29/2018 5:52:16 PM PST by familyop
The Kremlin is not only spying on, but trying to influence American servicemembers.
Russia is going to great lengths to undermine the US military by not just spying on it, but trying to influence its members, according to a report from Politico. Operatives have been friending soldiers and veterans on social media, posting on popular sites and, of course, hacking members. The aim, according to experts, is to turn service members into a "fifth column" for Russia, and the military is struggling to stop it.
One technique used by Russia is to befriend soldiers, veterans and their spouses on social media in an effort to gather intelligence and spread misinformation. "Spies understand that a great deal can be discerned about what militaries are up to based on the unclassified behavior of soldiers," threat intelligence manager John Bambenek told Politico.
Operatives try to lure personnel by sending friend requests posing as attractive women, but they also post propaganda on Facebook in an effort to boost Russia's military status among US servicemembers. For example, military contractor Serena Moring recently spotted a possibly fake report about a heroic Russian soldier killed in action while fighting ISIS. "All the response from the military guys was like, 'That is awesome. That is an epic way to die," she said.
Spies understand that a great deal can be discerned about what militaries are up to based on the unclassified behavior of soldiers.
Russia has also reportedly formed partnerships with popular military sites. Veterans Today (above), for instance, has teamed up with Russian groups like New Eastern Outlook and Strategic Culture Foundation, run by a former Soviet Politburo member. It pushes anti-Semitic, anti-NATO and pro-Russian content, with stories like "Brussels, NATO and the globalists in total dissaray."
Despite the far-fetched content, it gets up to 900,000 unique visitors per month, and, more terrifyingly, has some 35,000 active resumés on its HireVeterans.com job board. The hiring site also lists dozens of large US employers, including Bank of America and Westinghouse. Yet, University of Washington professor Kate Starbird tells Politico that Veterans Today is an "active partner" in the distribution of Russian propaganda.
Meanwhile, Russia's hackers spend a disproportionate effort on the military, with 41 percent of attacks by the "Fancy Bear" group directed against current or former military members, according to SecureWorks. The aim is to gain intelligence either directly or indirectly, by observing the actions of soldiers and officers.
So what's the end game? Strategic Cyber Ventures CEO Tom Kellerman, formerly of Trend Micro, told Politico that he thinks the cyber attacks that weaken the US leaders could presage military action. He warned the FBI that the Kremlin had targeted powerful leaders and their spouses, and could potentially turn on smartphone microphones and cameras to gather intelligence or compromise targets. "You have to remember these people have been warned that their dirty laundry could be aired."
Veterans Today, New Eastern Outlook, Strategic Culture Foundation,... There are many more.
The Russians are becoming the left’s, “My dog ate my homework” excuse. PATHETIC!!!
Seriously, next these people will go after “World of Warships” because it is a game created in Russia.
WOW and the aviation equivalent way overstate the performance of Russian hardware bc of their country of origin. It’s as bad as wehraboos elsewhere.
I am shocked—shocked—to hear this.
Russia has also reportedly formed partnerships with popular military sites. Veterans Today (above), for instance, has teamed up with Russian groups like New Eastern Outlook and Strategic Culture Foundation, run by a former Soviet Politburo member. It pushes anti-Semitic, anti-NATO and pro-Russian content, with stories like "Brussels, NATO and the globalists in total disarray."
Sure, but what are their FR nicks? Thanks familyop.
[Here’s one example of the propagation of the propaganda (notice the author’s name). Veterans Today (see article posted above) has also been posted here and received favorable responses.]
The Mattis Dilemma
Strategic Culture Foundation ^ | 27 Dec 2018 | Philip M. GIRALDI
Posted on 12/29/2018 3:21:42 PM PST by amorphous
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3716095/posts
Also...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3716095/posts?page=9#9
Sheesh. Until Trump JOKED that maybe the Russians could find Hillary’s deleted emails, the left used to think Russians were fantastic.
LMAO!
I doubt it.
They saw how happy the troops were to meet the President over the holidays. Clearly, they've been brainwashed by Russians.
LOL! I’ve wondered over the past few years why all these hot chicks have been sending me friend requests. Guess I’m too stupid to NOT have answered them.
Hi this is an issue near and dear to my heart. To begin with: the Russian strategy is a lot less sensational and flashy than the article would have it seem.
Rather, through infiltrating veterans forums and creating neutral-seeming online content and academic writings under the guise of D.C. based ‘think tanks’ and research groups: Russia-advocates seek to intellectually undermine any and all pro-American narratives of historic U.S. military efforts from World War I to Vietnam/Afghanistan.
The end-goal ultimately being to foment doubt in the American experiment as a whole. And given the historic illiteracy of most Americans, the ground is ready for sowing.
They do this in order to sow further disillusionment in the minds of already vulnerable (often traumatized) current and former service members regarding the worth of their service and the justifications given in the name of their service.
Example: America did not ‘win’ WWII, but the Soviets did. America doesn’t deserve credit for anything etc... And when you google questions like ‘Who won World War II’ — chances are several pro-Russian think-piece will come up in the search results.
Even with regard to the US Civil War, it’s not unusual to find the very same writers touting anti-Lincoln, pro-Confederacy narratives. Again, all done in order to undermine the American experiment.
The fall of the Soviet Union was a very embittering experience and Russians want to take back the narrative so as to never seem the loser.
What utter garbage & lies. And publishing a viewpoint is not “targeting” even if it wasn’t lies.
So... who’s going to take the place of Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally? Moscow Marissa?
“American soldier, are you lonely? Hot Russian chicks wanting to hear from YOU, so just click, moye dorogoi droog!”
;^)
I just read this piece on Mattis. I agree with it.
I am Jewish. Am I a Nazi Jew because I agree with it?
My father survived Auschwitz.
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