Russia is currently the most active foreign country engaged in efforts to influence the upcoming November 5 US presidential election, Reuters quoted a senior US intelligence official as saying.
In contrast, China’s primary focus is on exerting influence over lower-level contests, such as down-ballot races. According to the report, the official also noted that Iran has significantly escalated its attempts to shape voter opinion in the lead-up to the presidential and congressional elections, demonstrating a heightened level of activity compared to previous cycles.
The US intelligence community is increasing the use of private warnings to targets of foreign influence operations, the official added in a briefing to reporters.
The briefing followed US money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media network RT on Wednesday for what officials said was a scheme to hire an American company to produce online content to influence the 2024 presidential election.
Justice Department officials said the two employees used shell companies and fake personas to pay $10 million to an unidentified Tennessee company to produce online videos aimed at amplifying political divisions in the United States.
Impact Shorts
View AllU.S. officials told a Senate committee in May that an increasing number of foreign actors, including non-state actors, are seeking to influence U.S. elections, and Russia, China and Iran, while the most significant, are far from alone.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that Putin should stop talking about the upcoming elections. His statement came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow wanted Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to win the US elections.
“Mr. Putin ought to stop talking about our elections, period. He shouldn’t be favoring anybody one way or another,” Kirby said. His comments came a day after the US Justice Department charged two Russian media executives over an alleged illegal scheme to influence the November election with pro-Russian propaganda.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he supported Kamala Harris in November’s US presidential election, an apparent wry remark a day after the United States issued indictments accusing Moscow of vote interference.
Putin often comments on political and social issues in the United States, often in a mocking way.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he supported Kamala Harris in November’s US presidential election, an apparent wry remark a day after the United States issued indictments accusing Moscow of vote interference.
Putin often comments on political and social issues in the United States, often in a mocking way.
With inputs from agencies.