What's Behind the GOP's Disinformation Machine?

[swag]

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/12/13/whats-behind-the-gops-disinformation-machine/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

by James Bruno December 13, 2019

. . .

Politicians who slavishly parrot Russian propaganda fall into three categories: the Cynical (those who know better but peddle the lies anyway); Useful Idiots (those who are easily manipulated); and the Compromised (those who are actual Russian assets who do Moscow’s bidding because they were recruited one way or another).

The third category—being compromised by a foreign power—is the most sensitive. I therefore asked three intelligence veterans their views on the chances of some members of Congress being under direct Russian control.

First, I spoke with Jack Barsky, an East German recruited and trained by the KGB to serve as a “sleeper agent” in the U.S. for a decade. Eventually, Barsky turned on his masters and helped the FBI. He is now a U.S. citizen. He told me, “I do believe that politicians as a class are some of the most vulnerable targets for foreign intelligence. I believe that the damage done by the ‘useful idiots’ is far greater than that done by one or two active assets.” The chances of there being Russian controlled actors among members of Congress, he said, are “low but not zero.”

Second, I reached out to a former CIA senior officer with nearly three decades working primarily on Russia operations. The ex-official said, “I‘ve long worried about the existence of ‘controlled sources.’ Russian intelligence doctrine on active measures makes clear that the most important part of any campaign is recruited and controlled sources. I have no way of knowing if there are people in the Republican Party or Congress who are controlled sources but I’d bet my home that there are some high-level sources that have helped the Russians. If there aren’t any, it would be the first time ever.”

Then, I talked with a retired FBI special agent who led counterintelligence activities. He said he sees possible linkages involving the activities investigated by Mueller, prosecutors, and Congress, with Putin’s oligarchs as the common denominator. What stands out for him, though, is the large number of unreported Russian contacts among those in Trump’s circle. A seasoned FBI veteran, he believes Trump falls into the category of “useful idiot,” but can’t rule out his being a controlled asset. “What if there is a Russian agent among the few who can still whisper in Trump’s ear and get him to respond?” he speculated.

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[dewsgirl]

1. I am reading, Nothing is True and Everything is Possible:

The Surreal Heart of the New Russia.
I believe this explains much of the GOP's line of thinking.

[dalton99a]

2. Kick

[KY_EnviroGuy]

3. Primarily American right-wing think tanks and lobbying organizations.

The "GOP Disinformation Machine" is vast and Russian sources are just one of many, with international business interests a key factor throughout.

Let's not forget most of it was in place and operating for decades while Russia was still considered a major foe.

That's not to say Russia's propaganda machine isn't a major problem, we simply need to keep it in perspective. International oligarchs don't give a damn about borders, as they see the world as one big playground.