Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS intel agency assess that Alexander Torshin read in the Kremlin & MFA in his outreach to the NRA
NEW: A report produced by a US intel agency, which I reviewed, assessing that Alexander Torshin read in the Kremlin and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his outreach to the NRA
Link to tweet
Kremlin Blessed Russias NRA Operation, U.S. Intel Report Says
When Maria Butina and Alexander Torshins brought NRA bigwigs to Moscow, it wasnt a rogue mission. It was okayed from the very top, according to a report reviewed by The Beast.
... snip
This reporting indicates that Alexander Torshin was working with the blessing of the Kremlin, at a minimum, one European intelligence official told The Daily Beast. The official added that this reporting is consistent with his groups understanding of how the Kremlin operates.
The NRA is quite powerful, so when you look to influence U.S. politics, you should consider them as a convenient target, the official added.
The report, published last year, is based on conversations that happened in 2015, before NRA leaders visited Moscow on a trip arranged by Torshin and Butina. The document does not specifically name the NRA or the Republican Party, but its context makes clear it is discussing those two American organizations. (American intelligence reports generally do not name U.S. persons or organizations for privacy and legal reasons.)
According to the report, Torshin suggested that Russian officials use the NRA to reach out to politically active Americans. Torshin, then a deputy governor at Russias central bank, noted the gun rights groups influence in U.S. politics. He told the Kremlin about his contacts in the NRA, including conversations and meetings in the United States, and suggested that Kremlin officials scrutinize how some people affiliated with the group viewed relations between the U.S. and Russia.
... snip
Kremlin officials at the highest levels have tried to distance themselves from Torshins outreach to the NRA. Last month, Putin denied that he or his security chiefs were aware of the undertaking.
More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/kremlin-blessed-russias-nra-operation-us-intel-report-says
When Maria Butina and Alexander Torshins brought NRA bigwigs to Moscow, it wasnt a rogue mission. It was okayed from the very top, according to a report reviewed by The Beast.
... snip
This reporting indicates that Alexander Torshin was working with the blessing of the Kremlin, at a minimum, one European intelligence official told The Daily Beast. The official added that this reporting is consistent with his groups understanding of how the Kremlin operates.
The NRA is quite powerful, so when you look to influence U.S. politics, you should consider them as a convenient target, the official added.
The report, published last year, is based on conversations that happened in 2015, before NRA leaders visited Moscow on a trip arranged by Torshin and Butina. The document does not specifically name the NRA or the Republican Party, but its context makes clear it is discussing those two American organizations. (American intelligence reports generally do not name U.S. persons or organizations for privacy and legal reasons.)
According to the report, Torshin suggested that Russian officials use the NRA to reach out to politically active Americans. Torshin, then a deputy governor at Russias central bank, noted the gun rights groups influence in U.S. politics. He told the Kremlin about his contacts in the NRA, including conversations and meetings in the United States, and suggested that Kremlin officials scrutinize how some people affiliated with the group viewed relations between the U.S. and Russia.
... snip
Kremlin officials at the highest levels have tried to distance themselves from Torshins outreach to the NRA. Last month, Putin denied that he or his security chiefs were aware of the undertaking.
More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/kremlin-blessed-russias-nra-operation-us-intel-report-says
Don't believe anything until Putin...
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 958 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (3)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
US intel agency assess that Alexander Torshin read in the Kremlin & MFA in his outreach to the NRA (Original Post)
MelissaB
Jan 2019
OP
WHOLE lot of little Dutch boys going to be working hard the next few days/weeks, but
RHMerriman
Jan 2019
#2
ffr
(22,672 posts)1. I suppose the NRA would have to agree that they're and easy target. Get it?
Arr-arr-arr-arr-arr.
But targeting them for their influence over a block of voters who will unsuspectingly carry water for your, even if it means undermining their own country, is freakin brilliant! Easy rubes!
RHMerriman
(1,376 posts)2. WHOLE lot of little Dutch boys going to be working hard the next few days/weeks, but
WHOLE lot of little Dutch boys going to be working hard the next few days/weeks, but the dike is going...
dawg day
(7,947 posts)3. The NRA would know that Butina was a spy or something
She was a "gun rights activist" from a country with very restrictive gun laws, come to preach 'gun rights' to a country with very loose gun laws?
Of course her whole aim all along was to filter $ through the NRA. The NRA is beyond complicit. "Conspiracy"-- criminal. I can't wait until the fines and defense costs bankrupt the NRA.
Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)4. K&R!